15 Cars Damaged After Falling Through Ice In Lake Geneva

(CBS) -- Normally freezing temperatures and ice make it tough for drivers, but a lack of wintery weather caused a very different problem for drivers in southern Wisconsin Saturday afternoon.

Police in Lake Geneva say 15 cars parked on the ice were damaged after they became submerged in the lake. Five of the cars were able to be driven from the scene, but the other ten are believed to be a total loss from water damage.

No injuries were reported.

Lake Geneva City Administrator Blaine Oborn says it was heartbreaking to see the cars sinking into the lake. He says that, while police have closed off access to cars going onto that section of the lake, "Certainly we have no control of people who can get access on other sections of the lake and it's a very large lake."

Oborn says it's usually safe for cars to park on Lake Geneva during Winterfest, although motorists do get a warning in the form of a sign that reads: "Warning: Drive on ice at your own risk."

Oborn says there was plenty of free parking OFF the ice if people wanted it. The Winterfest brochure online says parking meters do not have to be plugged during the festival and there's a free shuttle from the Home Depot parking lot.