Storm Starts Fire, Snaps Trees and Power Poles in Western Wisconsin

The storm that did so much damage in Dakota County, Minnesota early Tuesday rumbled across the border, knocking down trees and snapping at least one power pole in Western Wisconsin.

Along County Road F, south of Kinnickinnic State Park, mature trees were down in several yards.  By 9 a.m., the cleanup effort was already underway.

On that same stretch of road, approaching Prescott, a single power pole was snapped, though the line remained intact.  An Xcel Energy worker was already there, working to keep the power flowing.

River Falls firefighters and River Falls Ambulance responded to a report of a house fire in Clifton Township.  The homeowner reported the house had been hit by lightning.  Firefighters used a thermal camera to check for hot spots but none were found.

In the City of River Falls, crews were out clearing trees from the streets.

"The are that seems to be hit the hardest was Golf View Drive with multiple boulevard trees down," said City Administrator Scot Simpson.  "Public Works crews began at Golf View Drive for large tree removal and they are also working the east side between 2nd and 8th Streets."

Once the crews are finished in those hardest hit areas, Simpson said they plan to fan out across the city, cleaning up debris.

"Public Works tree removal and cleanup work will be limited to boulevards, streets, and city property," said Simpson.  "Residents are to take debris from their yards to the Compost Site or hire a tree service to remove.  Tree Debris placed on the boulevard by residents will not be picked up by Public Works."

The River Falls Compost Site is located at 901 West Locust Street, near the River Falls School Bus Garage.  It's scheduled to be open during daylight hours, seven days a week, April through November.