LAKE GENEVA, Wis. — The Lake Geneva area is continuing recovery efforts after a deadly storm passed through last week.

What You Need To Know

Storms last Friday were responsible for a boat capsizing on Geneva Lake killing three children who were on board and another seven people had to be rescued from the water

The National Weather Service said those storms produced straight with winds with an estimated peak speed of 90 to 100 miles per hour

Operation BBQ Relief is offering a free community meal on Thursday and Friday from 2 p.m.-6 p.m. at Como Community Church

Last week’s storm slowed down tourism, a major driver in the Lake Geneva area’s economy but businesses are excited to welcome guests

Those storms were responsible for a boat capsizing on Geneva Lake, killing three children who were on board, while another seven people had to be rescued from the water.

The National Weather Service said those storms produced straight-line winds with an estimated peak speed of 90 to 100 miles per hour.

The powerful winds sent tree limbs through the roofs of homes in the Town of Geneva, causing major damage.

That’s why Andy Feest was preparing chicken and sausage with Operation BBQ Relief.

He said the Town of Geneva called on the group to offer a free community meal on Thursday and Friday at Como Community Church.

“They were getting to the point where they started having a need to feed a couple hundred people mostly first responders, and whatever lineman that are still here,” said Feest. “People that are still working on cleanup and some people that are still impacted in their homes by the storms.”

Last week’s storm also slowed down tourism, a major driver for the area’s economy.

(Spectrum News 1/Phillip Boudreaux)

Kelsey Bradford is the owner of Salt & Kai, a women’s boutique in downtown Lake Geneva. She said the store had closed several hours early the day the storm passed through.

“It really happened pretty quickly,” Bradford said. “We were seeing umbrellas fly from topsy turvy and then a tree came down on a car. There was 12 to 15 people that sprinted in here to find refuge.”

A week later, businesses are back up and running.

However, Visit Lake Geneva CEO Stephanie Klett said the deaths of the three children on the lake Friday still weigh heavily on the community’s mind.

“It is a community in mourning and we want people with positive spirits coming here and paying us a visit because it will help lift everybody up,” said Klett.

Feest and his team with Operation BBQ Relief also want to provide inspiration.

“Sometimes that’s the first responders, sometimes it’s the person that says I’m dealing with the damage in my home and just to give them something that even if it’s for half day, lift them up and keep them going,” said Feest.