A tornado touched down in northeastern Wisconsin on Monday, causing extensive damage to homes and businesses and leaving more than 30,000 people without power. Emergency officials were conducting searches for potential injuries or fatalities in the immediate aftermath, with no confirmed reports as of Monday evening.
The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado in Winnebago County, an area approximately 90 miles northwest of Milwaukee. Cities including Appleton and Menasha experienced significant damage, with some structures described as severely impacted.
Eyewitnesses in Menasha reported hearing intense cracking and popping sounds as a laundromat, bakery, and tavern were torn apart. Rescue workers reportedly extracted an individual from a damaged building. Videos and accounts from the scene depicted overturned vehicles and homes reduced to their outer walls, with some properties located near Lake Winnebago showing a trail of destruction.
The storm system that spawned the tornado moved through the Great Lakes region, fueled by heat and humidity, according to meteorologists. The darkness during the event was described by one Appleton resident as akin to midnight.
Local officials confirmed multiple reports of destroyed buildings and overturned vehicles. All available storm warnings were activated to alert residents and prompt safety measures. Power restoration in the affected areas is anticipated to take several days.
In Menasha, a city of about 18,000, the electric utility reported that the entire city was believed to be without power. Roads in the hardest-hit areas of Menasha and Fox Crossing became impassable due to downed trees and power lines, hindering initial assessment and rescue efforts. Authorities opened a temporary shelter at a local church.
The Appleton Police Department noted numerous downed trees and large branches across the city, along with out-of-service traffic signals contributing to significant traffic backups. Officials urged the public to avoid the affected areas due to hazardous conditions, including downed power lines.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers stated that the state is prepared to offer assistance to the impacted communities. The tornado warnings for the Fox Cities region, including Appleton, Menasha, and Neenah, were issued midday, cautioning residents about flying debris and potential damage to homes and vehicles.
The storm system eventually moved south of Milwaukee and through the Chicago area, where it began to dissipate later on Monday.