A powerful thunderstorm hit Door County Saturday afternoon. Various communities were struck between 4PM – 4:15PM as strong winds blew down many large trees all over the peninsula. Shortly after 4:00 pm, the county’s 9-1-1 dispatchers were swamped with calls for trees down, and they brought down numerous power lines and blocked many roads. By 5PM, Wisconsin Public Service reported over 8,600 Door County customers were without power, and by 9AM Sunday there were still over 5,000 without power. Hit especially hard were the communities of Ephraim, Sister Bay, Baileys Harbor, and Egg Harbor. Due to the multitude of blocked roads with downed trees and power lines, Door County Emergency Management quickly released a statement advising all those in northern Door County to stay home unless travel was absolutely necessary. It was then announced that the Sister Bay fire station was opened as a Red Cross shelter for anyone who needed safe place to stay or simply to charge your phone or use electricity.
When the storm hit, many trees were toppled across Cana Island Road, bringing down power lines and creating a dangerous impassible roadway. At that time, up to 20 visitors and staff were then stranded on Cana Island. They eventually made it across the causeway to the mainland parking lot where they were still stranded until rescue crews were able to safely clear the roadway by 11PM. Cana Island lost an estimated 30% of its trees in the storm, and some fallen trees landed on the Interpretive Center. It was reported that Cana Island and the Ridges Sanctuary, along with many northern Door businesses, remain closed Sunday as crews continue cleaning up the many effects of the storm damage across northern Door County.
Some area roadways are closed off with barricades, traffic cones, or emergency tape. Everyone is advised to not drive around these barricades. They are there to protect you and allow the crews to clean up the dangerous storm damage as quickly and safely as possible.
