Numerous Power Outages Across Southeast Wisconsin Due to High Winds

Gusty winds knock down trees and power lines, leaving thousands without electricity

Mar. 13, 2026 at 6:24pm

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High winds on Friday, March 13 have caused numerous power outages across southeastern Wisconsin, with over 60,000 customers affected as of 1 p.m. Downed trees and power lines have led to widespread blackouts, particularly in Waukesha, Milwaukee, Kenosha, Racine, Ozaukee, and Washington counties. We Energies crews are working to restore power, but warn that more outages may occur as the windy conditions persist through the evening.

Why it matters

Power outages can pose significant safety and inconvenience issues for residents, especially ahead of a forecasted winter storm. Downed power lines also present a serious hazard that must be addressed quickly. The high winds are disrupting normal daily activities and routines across the region.

The details

According to We Energies, over 60,000 customers were without power as of 1 p.m. on Friday. The hardest hit areas include Waukesha County with over 23,000 outages and Milwaukee County with over 18,000 outages. Other affected counties include Kenosha, Racine, Ozaukee, and Washington. We Energies crews are working to restore power, but warn that additional outages may occur as the high winds continue through the evening.

  • High winds began on Friday, March 13, 2026.
  • As of 1 p.m. on March 13, over 60,000 customers were without power.

The players

We Energies

The electric and natural gas utility serving southeastern Wisconsin, working to restore power to affected customers.

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What’s next

We Energies crews will continue working through the evening to restore power to all affected customers as the high winds persist.

The takeaway

This weather event highlights the vulnerability of the regional power grid to high winds and the importance of utility companies having the resources and personnel to quickly respond to widespread outages. Residents should be prepared for potential further disruptions and heed safety warnings regarding downed power lines.