Frederica Freyberg:
Storms pummeled the Midwest this week. The National Weather Service confirmed seven tornadoes in western, central, and northeast Wisconsin, with wind speeds ranging from 90 to 105 miles per hour. Statewide, severe storms and strong winds left more than 40,000 without power with the largest number being in Dane County. Madison Gas and Electric called the outages historic, with hundreds of lines down. Madison Public Schools were closed due to unsafe conditions. Though quick progress has been made, full restoration could take days as clean up of structural damage, downed lines and uprooted trees continues.