Extensive damage in Chippewa Valley from storm - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

Eau Claire (WQOW) - There are a few things that stand out the most while driving through the city. The power lines down and hundreds of trees ripped right out of the ground. 

The powerful storm that swept the Chippewa Valley Thursday took down power lines, branches, and trees.   

The winds were strong enough to rip hundreds of trees right from the ground. Carson Park had at least fifty trees blown over. The Lakeview Cemetery was hit and so were homeowners in Eau Claire.

"The wind just got really, really bad and you couldn't even see out the window, and I asked my daughter to move from the couch and next thing I knew, the tree was in the yard" says Eau Claire resident Carol Reiter. 

Reiter says she has already contacted her insurance company but she has no idea how much the damage will cost. 

"I'm sure there is shingle damage and this looks really bad right now" says Reiter.

It didn't take long to see neighbors helping neighbors.