TOWN OF GENEVA, Wis. — People across Walworth County spent Wednesday cleaning up after powerful storms tore through the area Friday, leaving behind damaged homes, downed trees and a long recovery ahead.

The National Weather Service in Milwaukee surveyed the damage and said preliminary findings show the destruction was caused by straight-line downburst winds, not a tornado. Peak wind speeds were estimated between 90 and 100 mph.

What You Need To Know

People across Walworth County spent Wednesday cleaning up after powerful storms tore through the area Friday

The National Weather Service in Milwaukee surveyed the damage and said preliminary findings show the destruction was caused by straight-line downburst winds, not a tornado

 The Downtown Lake Geneva Business Improvement District has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help neighbors recover

In the Town of Geneva, crews and homeowners worked to clear fallen trees from yards, roads and houses. Some trees crushed vehicles. Others punched through roofs.

For Jeanne Kuttnauer, the cleanup started inside her home after branches crashed through the roof and left the house unlivable.

“We love our little home, but it is half destroyed right now,” Kuttnauer said. “All of the branches came through the kitchen and living room, and water was just pouring in through the holes.”

Now, she is sorting through the damage, working with insurance, waiting to find out whether the foundation was affected and trying to figure out where her family will stay during repairs.

“We have insulation everywhere. We have piles of ceiling in our kitchen. All our living room furniture is destroyed,” she said.

Not far away, Mike Werediuk was also dealing with storm damage. He said he got stuck inside his truck as the wind whipped through the area.

“It was terrible,” Werediuk said. “I got trapped in the truck for 10 to 20 minutes. The wind was rocking the truck. You couldn’t get out, and it just kept moving.”

One of the hardest losses, he said, was a tree he planted with his mother as a child.

“I planted this tree with my mom when I was 8 or 10 years old,” he said. “I hate to cut it down, but I don’t really see any other choice.”

As cleanup continues, local groups are stepping in to help. The Downtown Lake Geneva Business Improvement District has launched a GoFundMe campaign for storm recovery. It is also partnering with Walworth County Habitat for Humanity to help connect families with tree removal, temporary housing assistance and repairs that insurance may not cover.

Organizers say they hope the effort helps families start rebuilding.