Tornado Causes Severe Damage in Northeastern Wisconsin

A tornado hit northeastern Wisconsin on Monday, turning the midday sky dark and forcing workers to take shelter in basements. The powerful winds caused significant damage, shattering homes, scattering metal across highways, and cutting off power to over 30,000 people. Officials reported no fatalities or injuries by Monday evening, but ongoing searches continued, according to Gordon Hintz, the top elected official in Winnebago County.

The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado occurred in Winnebago County, roughly 90 miles northwest of Milwaukee. Areas like Appleton and Menasha experienced considerable damage. Matt Albrecht, Menasha’s Police Chief, noted that some homes and businesses were “severely impacted.” The tornado formed as part of a large storm system moving across the Great Lakes, fueled by heat and humidity, explained meteorologist Scott Berschback.

Hintz indicated that restoring power in the affected area might take several days. Debris scattered the streets of Menasha, where a laundromat, bakery, and neighborhood tavern were destroyed. Heather Schroeder, who works nearby, described hearing cracking and popping sounds as the tornado passed. Rescue workers pulled someone from the rubble, but the individual’s condition remains unclear. In one neighborhood, roofs were torn off homes, vehicles flipped, and a gas leak occurred at the laundromat.

Greg Van Driest, working in Appleton, recalled the dramatic sky change, likening it to nighttime. “The word we all were using was ‘ominous,'” he said. Meanwhile, residents worked to clear fallen tree branches from vehicles.

Emergency warnings activated before the storm allowed people time to seek shelter. Holley Kamba, a meteorologist with the weather service, reported receiving numerous calls about fallen trees, downed power lines, and structural damage across southern Outagamie County and eastern Winnebago County.

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced the state’s readiness to assist in recovery efforts. Meteorologists in Green Bay issued a tornado warning, advising residents of the Fox Cities region—including Appleton, Menasha, and Neenah—to seek shelter due to possible flying debris and damage to vehicles and trees. An earlier severe thunderstorm warning had been in effect, with winds reaching up to 60 mph.

Social media images depicted significant damage in Appleton, such as damaged homes, a car overturned onto a lawn, and streets clogged with tree limbs. The Appleton Police Department acknowledged blockages from fallen trees and heavy traffic congestion.

In Outagamie County, no fatalities or injuries were confirmed, but County Executive Tom Nelson highlighted “extensive and severe damage” in Menasha and Fox Crossing. He described the storm’s destructive impact as devastating.

Menasha’s electric utility reported a widespread power outage affecting the city’s 18,000 residents. Efforts were underway to open a shelter at a church. Albrecht explained that the storm struck Menasha and nearby Fox Crossing around 12:20 p.m., with emergency crews working to assess conditions and clear roads.

Albrecht warned the public to avoid the hardest-hit areas due to downed power lines and hazardous debris. Later, the storm moved out of Wisconsin, heading south of Milwaukee, and weakened as it reached the Chicago area.

The report featured contributions from various reporters across the country, including locations such as Chicago, Toledo, Albuquerque, Little Rock, Jackson, Salt Lake City, and New York.