Wisconsin Governor Offers Support Following Tornado Devastation

WHO:

WLUK - Governor Tony Evers stated, "We are aware of severe damage in broad areas."

WLUK - Governor Tony Evers stated that the state is ready to assist following the storm damage.

CNN - The Menasha Police Department issued warnings to the public regarding safety measures.

WHAT:

WLUK - The city of Appleton and other Fox Valley municipalities are responding to and assessing storm damage reports.

WLUK - Local authorities are coordinating resources for those displaced by storm damage, and residents are encouraged to hold off on reporting minor, non-emergency situations such as downed trees or other minor, non-threatening damage.

WLUK - A Heat Advisory is currently in effect until 7 p.m. for parts of the area.

CNN - The tornado was classified as “extremely dangerous” and prompted a particularly dangerous situation tornado warning, the second-highest level warning.

CNN - The storm that spawned this tornado may produce more as it charges south across eastern Wisconsin and the National Weather Service says it is watching this storm carefully.

WLUK - The entire city of Menasha, with a population of about 18,000, is believed to be without power due to a downed transmission line.

PBS - A tornado swept through Wisconsin, causing power outages for more than 30,000 people.

CNN - The tornado was observed for at least 20 minutes, moving from near Appleton to the northern coast of Lake Winnebago.

CNN - The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado in Winnebago County, about 90 miles northwest of Milwaukee.

WLUK - The city of Appleton and other Fox Valley municipalities are responding to and assessing storm damage reports.

WLUK - Emergency cooling shelters have been set up at Christ the Rock Church, Menasha Senior Center, and Menasha Public Library to provide water and basic assistance.

CNN - The National Weather Service is monitoring the storm that spawned the tornado for potential additional tornadoes as it moves south across eastern Wisconsin.

WLUK - The city of Menasha may be without power, according to a post from Menasha Utilities.

CNN - More than 350,000 customers were without power in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana due to severe thunderstorms with damaging winds.

CNN - A Level 3 of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms is in effect for a large part of the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley, primarily for powerful winds and the potential for additional isolated tornadoes.

CNN - The tornado was observed for at least 20 minutes from near Appleton to the northern coast of Lake Winnebago.

CNN - More than 350,000 customers were without power across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana due to severe thunderstorms with damaging winds.

WLUK - The Menasha Police Department advised the public to stay indoors and avoid downed power lines, stating, "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."

CNN - The tornado caused severe damage in broad areas, with more than 18,000 customers without power in Outagamie County, where Appleton is primarily located, according to PowerOutage.us.

CNN - The tornado was classified as “extremely dangerous” and prompted a particularly dangerous situation tornado warning, the second-highest level warning.

CNN - More than 350,000 customers were without power across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana due to severe thunderstorms with damaging winds.

CNN - A Level 3 of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms is in effect for a large part of the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley, primarily for powerful winds and the potential for additional isolated tornadoes.

WLUK - A Heat Advisory is currently in effect until 7 p.m. for parts of the area.

CNN - The tornado was observed for at least 20 minutes from near Appleton to the northern coast of Lake Winnebago.

CNN - More than 350,000 customers were without power across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana due to severe thunderstorms with damaging winds.

WLUK - A tornado was observed just after noon in the Appleton-Menasha area, prompting tornado warnings for that area and to the south.

WLUK - Local authorities are coordinating resources for those displaced by storm damage.

WLUK - Emergency cooling shelters have been set up at Christ the Rock Church, Menasha Senior Center, and Menasha Public Library to provide assistance.

WLUK - The entire city of Menasha may be without power, according to a post from Menasha Utilities.

CNN - More than 15,000 customers are without power in Winnebago and Calumet counties, and more than 18,000 customers are without power in Outagamie County.

CNN - A Level 3 of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms is in effect for a large part of the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley, primarily for powerful winds and the potential for additional isolated tornadoes.

WLUK - A tornado was observed in the Appleton-Menasha area, prompting tornado warnings.

CNN - The tornado was classified as “extremely dangerous” and prompted a particularly dangerous situation tornado warning, the second-highest level warning.

CNN - The tornado caused severe damage in broad areas, with more than 15,000 customers without power in Winnebago and Calumet counties, and over 18,000 customers without power in Outagamie County.

CNN - More than 350,000 customers were without power across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana due to severe thunderstorms.

WHERE:

CNN - The tornado moved over Lake Winnebago after hitting Menasha.

PBS - Damage was reported in cities including Appleton and Menasha, Wisconsin.

CNN - The tornado caused significant damage in the south side of Appleton, Wisconsin.

CNN - The tornado moved over Lake Winnebago after hitting Menasha.

WLUK - The city of Appleton and other Fox Valley municipalities are responding to and assessing storm damage reports.

WLUK - The storm affected Northeast Wisconsin, specifically the Appleton and Menasha areas.

CNN - The tornado moved over Lake Winnebago after hitting Menasha.

WHEN:

CNN - The tornado was observed for at least 20 minutes from near Appleton to the northern coast of Lake Winnebago.

WHY:

PBS - The area had already been under a severe thunderstorm warning for about 45 minutes before the tornado was confirmed.

PBS - The area had been under a severe thunderstorm warning for about 45 minutes before the tornado was confirmed.

CNN - The storm that spawned this tornado may produce more as it charges south across eastern Wisconsin.

CNN - The storm that spawned the tornado may produce more tornadoes as it moves south across eastern Wisconsin.

HOW:

WLUK - Residents are advised to limit non-emergency travel to allow first responders and utility crews access to impacted areas.

WLUK - Local authorities are coordinating resources for those displaced by storm damage.

WLUK - Residents are advised to limit non-emergency travel to allow first responders and utility crews access to impacted areas.

WLUK - Residents are encouraged to stay home if at all possible as multiple roadways are blocked and will be closed for some time.

WLUK - Local authorities are coordinating resources for those displaced by storm damage.

WLUK - Local residents were encouraged to stay home due to blocked roadways and to hold off on reporting minor, non-emergency situations.

WLUK - Emergency cooling shelters were set up at Christ the Rock Church, Menasha Senior Center, and Menasha Public Library to provide assistance.

(UPDATED July 28, 2026 14:45 UTC)

A tornado classified as "extremely dangerous" has caused significant damage in the Fox Valley area, prompting local authorities in Appleton and surrounding municipalities to assess the situation and coordinate resources for those displaced. Residents are being advised to limit non-emergency travel to ensure first responders and utility crews can access impacted areas, while minor damage reports, like downed trees, should be held off for now. Additionally, a Heat Advisory is in effect until 7 p.m. for parts of the region, as the storm that spawned the tornado continues to move south across eastern Wisconsin.

(UPDATED July 28, 2026 13:28 UTC)

A tornado has swept through Wisconsin, causing significant power outages for more than 30,000 residents, including the entire city of Menasha, which has a population of about 18,000. The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado in Winnebago County, where it was observed for at least 20 minutes as it moved from near Appleton to the northern coast of Lake Winnebago, with damage reported in both cities. This severe weather event followed a severe thunderstorm warning that had been in effect for about 45 minutes prior to the tornado's confirmation.

(UPDATED July 28, 2026 12:31 UTC)

A tornado has caused significant damage in the south side of Appleton, Wisconsin, prompting the city and surrounding Fox Valley municipalities to assess the situation. In response to the storm, emergency cooling shelters have been established at Christ the Rock Church, Menasha Senior Center, and Menasha Public Library, offering water and basic assistance to those in need. Residents are being advised to limit non-emergency travel to ensure that first responders and utility crews can access the affected areas effectively.

(UPDATED July 28, 2026 09:50 UTC)

Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds have left more than 350,000 customers without power across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana, and the city of Menasha is among those affected. A Level 3 risk of severe thunderstorms is currently in effect for much of the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley, raising concerns about powerful winds and the possibility of isolated tornadoes, including one that recently moved over Lake Winnebago after hitting Menasha. Local authorities are actively coordinating resources for those displaced by the storm damage, urging residents to refrain from reporting minor, non-emergency situations like downed trees.

(UPDATED July 28, 2026 06:46 UTC)

A tornado was observed for at least twenty minutes, moving from near Appleton to the northern coast of Lake Winnebago, causing severe damage in broad areas, according to Governor Tony Evers. More than 350,000 customers are without power across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana due to severe thunderstorms with damaging winds, and local authorities are coordinating resources for those displaced by the storm. The storm that spawned this tornado may produce more as it continues to charge south across eastern Wisconsin.

(UPDATED July 28, 2026 05:53 UTC)

The Menasha Police Department is urging residents to stay indoors and avoid downed power lines following a tornado that caused severe damage across broad areas, leaving over 18,000 customers without power in Outagamie County. Local authorities are actively coordinating resources for those displaced by the storm, while residents are encouraged to refrain from reporting minor, non-emergency situations like downed trees. The police emphasized the importance of not driving around road closures unless absolutely necessary for safety reasons.

(UPDATED July 28, 2026 03:59 UTC)

An extremely dangerous tornado has been reported, prompting a second-highest level warning, as it moved over Lake Winnebago after hitting Menasha. Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds have left more than 350,000 customers without power across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana, while a Level 3 of 5 risk for additional severe storms is in effect for much of the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley. Local authorities are actively coordinating resources to assist those displaced by the storm damage.

(UPDATED July 28, 2026 01:26 UTC)

A Heat Advisory is currently in effect until 7 p.m. for parts of the area, while a tornado was observed for at least 20 minutes moving from near Appleton to the northern coast of Lake Winnebago. Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds have left more than 350,000 customers without power across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Residents are advised to limit non-emergency travel to ensure that first responders and utility crews can access the impacted areas.

(UPDATED July 28, 2026 00:18 UTC)

A tornado was observed just after noon in the Appleton-Menasha area, leading to tornado warnings for that region and areas to the south. Local authorities are coordinating resources for those displaced by the storm, and emergency cooling shelters have been established at Christ the Rock Church, Menasha Senior Center, and Menasha Public Library to provide assistance. Residents are encouraged to stay home if possible, as multiple roadways are blocked and will remain closed for some time.

(UPDATED July 27, 2026 23:20 UTC)

A severe storm has left the entire city of Menasha without power, as reported by Menasha Utilities, while over 15,000 customers in Winnebago and Calumet counties, and more than 18,000 in Outagamie County are also affected. The National Weather Service has issued a Level 3 of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms across much of the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley, highlighting concerns over powerful winds and the possibility of isolated tornadoes. Local authorities are actively coordinating resources to assist those displaced by the storm damage.

(UPDATED July 27, 2026 22:26 UTC)

A tornado classified as "extremely dangerous" was observed in the Appleton-Menasha area, prompting tornado warnings and causing severe damage across broad areas, leaving over 15,000 customers without power in Winnebago and Calumet counties, and more than 18,000 in Outagamie County. Governor Tony Evers stated that the state is ready to assist following the storm, while the Menasha Police Department issued public safety warnings and encouraged residents to stay home due to blocked roadways. Emergency cooling shelters have been established at Christ the Rock Church, Menasha Senior Center, and Menasha Public Library to provide support to those affected.