Tornado damages eastern Wisconsin, knocks out power

An “extremely dangerous” tornado tore through eastern Wisconsin on Monday, damaging homes and businesses, scattering debris across roads and leaving thousands of people without power as emergency crews searched affected neighborhoods.

The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado near Appleton, Menasha and Lake Winnebago, about 30 miles southwest of Green Bay, around 12:15 p.m. The agency said other locations affected included Neenah, Sherwood, Harrison, Stockbridge, Quinney, Kloten, Brant, Brothertown, Jericho and Charlesburg. The Guardian reported that the tornado was in Winnebago County, about 90 miles northwest of Milwaukee, and later moved over Lake Winnebago toward Fond du Lac County at about 12:25 p.m.

Damage was reported across Appleton, Menasha and nearby communities. Video showed twisted metal and pieces of wood strewn across a highway as cars moved around the debris. A warehouse appeared heavily damaged. Images posted to social media showed homes stripped of roofs and siding, overturned cars and streets covered with tree limbs.

Greg Van Driest was working in downtown Appleton when the sky turned dark at midday.

“The word we all were using was ‘ominous,’” he said. “It’s like, ‘Whoa, look at that.’… You looked outside and you thought it was three in the morning, it was that dark.”

Gordon Hintz, Winnebago County’s top elected official, said he was not aware of any fatalities or injuries, but emergency officials were still searching.

“Obviously, the footage looks devastating,” Hintz said. “Clearly some significant damage done with power lines down and things like that.”

Hintz said he had received multiple reports of buildings completely destroyed and vehicles overturned on roadways. He said all storm warnings that could be made ahead of time to get people to safety had been activated.

“Obviously when you look at the damage, Mother Nature doesn’t really care,” he said.

National Weather Service meteorologist Holley Kamba said the agency was receiving reports of damage in southern Outagamie County and eastern Winnebago County.

“We have been receiving calls of damage with a lot of trees down, power lines down,” Kamba said. “We’ve been searching for some pictures of the structural damage.”

She said there had been no reports of injuries so far.

Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson said he did not yet have confirmation of deaths or injuries in the county, which includes Appleton. He said there was “extensive and severe damage” in Menasha and Fox Crossing, including reports of collapsed buildings.

“All indications are that this was a devastating system that has caused extensive damage,” Nelson said.

Nelson urged people not to travel in the area because of damage, downed power lines and road closures. “Stay put if possible,” he said. “Check on loved ones and neighbors.”

In Menasha, Police Chief Matt Albrecht said some homes and businesses were “severely impacted.” He said the storm struck Menasha and the east side of neighboring Fox Crossing at about 12:20 p.m., and many roads in the affected areas were impassable.

“At this point, we are unaware, unsure of how bad the damage is because many roads in those same areas are impassable,” Albrecht said. First responders were working to enter the area to “look for injuries, look for victims” and clear roads.

Menasha’s electric utility said the entire city of about 18,000 people was believed to be without power because of a downed transmission line. The Guardian reported that the storm knocked out power to more than 30,000 people. Authorities were opening a shelter at a church for residents seeking temporary safety or unable to remain in their homes.

“We are aware of severe damage in broad areas,” the Menasha Police Department said in a Facebook post. “We are asking the public to stay indoors, watch out for downed power lines, do not drive around road closures, and do not drive around the area unless absolutely necessary.”

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said on X that he had been briefed on storms moving through the state. “The state is ready to assist communities however we can,” he wrote. “I also want to thank the emergency responders who are hitting the ground to help.”

The National Weather Service said severe weather was expected to continue in east-central and southeastern Wisconsin through Monday afternoon, with strong winds, hail and the possibility of an isolated, brief tornado.