A Sudden Onslaught
On the afternoon of July 1, a line of severe thunderstorms rolled across east‑central Wisconsin, catching residents off guard as the sky darkened and the wind picked up.
The storm quickly intensified, delivering hail that grew from quarter‑size to the diameter of a baseball, particularly in Fond du Lac County, while gusts topped 60 mph in Sheboygan County.
The National Weather Service issued a series of severe thunderstorm warnings just before noon, highlighting the risk of shattered windows, damaged roofs, siding and vehicles.
Communities on Alert
As the system moved into Sheboygan County, the warning expanded to include communities such as Plymouth, Glenbeulah, Sheboygan Falls, Kohler and the city of Sheboygan itself.
Local officials and volunteers sprang into action, checking for injuries and assessing damage, but early reports confirmed that no one was hurt.
Adrienne Davis, a longtime resident of Fond du Lac, described the scene as “a wall of white that looked like a freight train,” underscoring the suddenness of the event.
While the full extent of property damage remained uncertain, the swift response from emergency services helped prevent any fatalities.