Tornado Tears Through Northeastern Wisconsin, Blackening the Midday Sky and Leaving Menasha Without Power
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Tornado strikes northeastern Wisconsin
A tornado struck northeastern Wisconsin on Monday, turning the midday sky dark and sending workers into office basements as fierce winds tore through parts of the Fox Cities region.The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado in Winnebago County, WI, about 90 miles, or 145 kilometers, northwest of Milwaukee, WI.
The storm left homes splintered, vehicles overturned and twisted metal scattered across a highway. More than 30,000 people lost power.
As of Monday evening, there were no reports of fatalities or injuries, but emergency officials said searches were still under way.
Heat and humidity fueled the storm system
The tornado formed within a large storm system that moved through the Great Lakes.National Weather Service meteorologist Scott Berschback said the system was fueled by a buildup of heat and humidity. That unstable air helped support severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds and tornado development.
The area had already been under a severe thunderstorm warning for about 45 minutes before the tornado warning was issued. Meteorologists had indicated the storm could produce winds up to 60 mph, or 97 kph.
Warning issued before noon
Weather service meteorologists in Green Bay, WI, issued a tornado warning at 11:59 a.m. for the Fox Cities region, which includes Appleton, WI, Menasha, WI, and Neenah, WI.The warning mentioned flying and dangerous debris, possible damage to mobile homes, vehicles and trees, and told people to seek shelter.
Winnebago County’s top elected official, Gordon Hintz, said all storm warnings that could be made ahead of time to get people to safety were activated.
Gordon Hintz: “Obviously when you look at the damage, Mother Nature doesn’t really care."
Menasha hit hard as homes and businesses damaged
Some of the heaviest damage was reported in Menasha, WI, about 30 miles, or 50 kilometers, south of Green Bay, WI.Heather Schroeder, who works nearby, said she heard cracking and popping all around as the tornado tore apart a laundromat, a bakery and a neighborhood tavern clustered around a street corner.
Heather Schroeder: “There’s nothing left."
Schroeder said rescue workers pulled someone out of one of the buildings, though it was not clear whether the person had survived. She also said cars were turned upside down and there was a gas leak at the laundromat.
In one Menasha neighborhood, only blocks from the shores of Lake Winnebago, the twister ripped roofs off homes and flipped vehicles. Video showed a trail of destruction, with some homes reduced to their outer walls.
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Wisconsin Tornado: Menasha and Appleton Hit by Destructive Storm, Power Out for ThousandsAppleton saw a sky as dark as night
In Appleton, WI, Greg Van Driest was working downtown when the sky turned nearly black.Greg Van Driest: “The word we all were using was ‘ominous.’"
Greg Van Driest: “You looked outside and you thought it was three in the morning, it was that dark."
Images on social media showed extensive damage in Appleton, including homes stripped of roofs, a car tossed onto a lawn and streets littered with tree limbs.
The Appleton Police Department said it was aware of several downed trees and large tree limbs throughout the city. Traffic signals were out, and some roads were heavily backed up.
Damage reports spread across two counties
Weather service meteorologist Holley Kamba said the agency was receiving reports of damage in southern Outagamie County, WI, and eastern Winnebago County, WI.Holley Kamba: “We have been receiving calls of damage with a lot of trees down, power lines down."
Holley Kamba: “We’ve been searching for some pictures of the structural damage."
Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson said he had no confirmation of fatalities or injuries in the county, which includes Appleton. He said damage in Menasha and Fox Crossing, WI, was extensive.
Tom Nelson: “All indications are that this was a devastating system that has caused extensive damage."
Menasha believed entirely without power
In Menasha, the electric utility said the entire city of about 18,000 people was believed to be without power.Authorities were opening a shelter at a church.
Police Chief Matt Albrecht said some homes and businesses were “severely impacted." He said the storm hit Menasha and the east side of neighboring Fox Crossing at around 12:20 p.m.
Matt Albrecht: “At this point, we are unaware, unsure of how bad the damage is because many roads in those same areas are impassable."
Emergency crews were trying to enter the affected area to look for injuries, search for victims and clear roads.
Officials urge people to stay away from damaged areas
Albrecht urged people to avoid the hardest-hit areas because of hazardous conditions.Matt Albrecht: “Right now, there are many downed power lines, downed trees, multiple hazardous situations. Please stay out."
Downed lines, blocked roads and damaged structures created continuing danger after the tornado passed. In some neighborhoods, the storm had already moved on, but the hazards remained.
Trees were down. Power was out. Streets were blocked.
State says assistance is ready
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said the state was prepared to support affected communities.Tony Evers: The state “is ready to assist communities however we can."
Hintz said it could take several days before power is restored in the stricken area.
The absence of confirmed fatalities or injuries by Monday evening offered some relief, but officials continued searching because damage was widespread and some roads remained difficult to access.
Storm later moved south as it weakened
Later Monday, the storm was clearing out of Wisconsin and moving south of Milwaukee, WI, through the Chicago, IL, area as it began to dissipate.The main impacts reported from the tornado and severe storm included:
- More than 30,000 power outages after the storm moved through northeastern Wisconsin.
- Confirmed tornado damage in Winnebago County, WI.
- Severe impacts in Menasha, WI, and Fox Crossing, WI.
- Extensive damage reports in Appleton, WI, including downed trees and roof damage.
- Homes and businesses damaged, with some structures severely impacted.
- Vehicles overturned and debris scattered across roads and neighborhoods.
- Entire Menasha utility area believed without power, affecting a city of about 18,000 people.
- No confirmed fatalities or injuries
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