Due to the cool temperatures, Goodman Pool, Cypress Spray Park and the lifeguard services at the parks beaches are closed on Thursday, June 23, but there are plenty of exciting events planned as temperatures start to climb again in the days ahead.

Goodman Pool Family Fun Days get into full swing this Saturday.

Powerful storms that moved through southern Wisconsin on Wednesday night are still causing headaches for utility crews on Thursday morning.

SLIDESHOW

:

See Viewers' Photos Of Wednesday's Storms

See Verona Storm Damage Photos

A National Weather Service storm survey showed that an EF1 tornado occurred Wednesday evening in central Dane County.

The tornado began at 7:41 p.m. 2.5 miles west southwest of Verona and ended at 8:02 p.m. 3 miles northeast of McFarland, a distance of about 15 miles. Trees were uprooted and power lines are down in the damage area, but there were no injuries or deaths. The path width was about 100 yards.

The severe thunderstorms produced large hail and damaging winds in many parts of the state, knocking down many trees and power lines. Some of the thunderstorms produced quarter-sized hail and destructive hurricane-force winds in excess of 80 mph.

We've been getting pretty good reviews for the City's snow plowing efforts during this week's major storm. One of the local TV station's unscientific poll found that 79 percent of their viewers gave us an "A" or a "B." 

The credit for that goes to Streets Superintendent Al Schumacher and his crews. It's also important to remember that workers from Engineering, Parks and the Water Utility also work to clear the streets, sidewalks and paths. They worked hard, long hours as always, and they did a terrific job. 

I've been asked why cleanup from this storm went so much more smoothly than the infamous storm of December, 2009. Well, first I should note that we actually do better in cleaning up after the average storm than we have in the past. We keep track of how long it takes to complete a citywide plowing, and the average time is actually less than it was a few years ago.