Deaths blamed on winds in Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE — Powerful winds that knocked out power across Wisconsin were blamed Friday for possibly one death and forced the closure of a county’s state parks because of toppled trees and power lines.

In Milwaukee, the county medical examiner’s office determined that a man’s death may be related to the power outage. Richard Markowski, 49, had muscular dystrophy and was dependent on a ventilator before the power went out at the home he shares with his mother about 12:30 a.m. Friday.

Markowski’s mother called 911 when his ventilator started to beep, according to the office’s investigation report. The report said she told emergency personnel she had backup batteries so they left, but she called 911 again around 2 a.m. because Markowski was struggling and the alarm was beeping. He later died at a hospital.

According to the report, the mother thought the batteries had a longer life. The medical examiner’s office is investigating, but the report notes the case is being treated as an accident.

The wind Thursday knocked out power to residents throughout the state, but particularly hard hit was Door County. All of its state parks and a trail popular to catch the fall colors are closed this weekend.