Wisconsin tornado darkens midday sky, wrecks Menasha and cuts power
A tornado swept through northeastern Wisconsin, smashing buildings, overturning vehicles and knocking out power. Officials reported widespread damage in Menasha and Appleton as rescue teams searched affected areas.
A tornado hit northeastern Wisconsin on Monday, turning the midday sky dark, damaging homes and businesses, overturning vehicles and cutting power to more than 30,000 people as emergency teams searched affected areas.
The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado in Winnebago County, about 145 kilometres northwest of Milwaukee. Damage was reported in places including Appleton and Menasha, where officials said homes, businesses and roads were badly affected, though there were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries.
In Menasha, Police Chief Matt Albrecht said some homes and businesses were "severely impacted". Heather Schroeder, who works nearby, said she heard cracking and popping sounds as the twister destroyed a laundromat, a bakery and a neighbourhood tavern at a street corner in the city, about 48 kilometres south of Green Bay. Rescue workers pulled someone out of one of the buildings, she said, though it was not clear if the person had survived. She also said cars were turned upside down and there was a gas leak at the laundromat. "There's nothing left," Schroeder said.
The tornado also tore roofs off homes and flipped vehicles in one Menasha neighbourhood near the shore of Lake Winnebago. Video showed a path of destruction, with some homes left standing only by their outer walls. In downtown Appleton, Greg Van Driest said the sky became as dark as night. "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." Images on social media showed homes with roofs ripped off, a car thrown onto a lawn and streets covered with tree branches.
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." He said he had heard multiple reports of buildings being completely destroyed and vehicles overturned. "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 so far been no reports of injuries. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers said the state "is ready to assist communities however we can".
The weather service said the tornado was over Lake Winnebago and moving south towards Fond du Lac County at around 12.25 pm. Meteorologists in Green Bay had issued a tornado warning for the Fox Cities region, including Appleton, Menasha and Neenah, at 11.59 am. "Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely," the alert said. The area had already been under a severe thunderstorm warning for about 45 minutes, with winds of up to 97 kph possible.
The Appleton Police Department said it was aware of "several downed trees and large tree limbs throughout the city". It added that traffic signals were out and some roads were heavily backed up. Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson said there was no confirmation of fatalities or injuries in the county, which includes Appleton, but there was "extensive and severe damage" in Menasha and Fox Crossing. "All indications are that this was a devastating system that has caused extensive damage," Nelson said.
In Menasha, the local electric utility said the entire city of about 18,000 people was believed to be without power. Authorities opened a shelter at a church for people needing temporary safety or unable to stay in their homes. The city's senior centre and library also lost power and had to close. Later, Karoline Hopfensperger, a spokesperson for Winnebago County Emergency Management, said two buildings that city authorities had earlier opened for residents seeking shelter had also lost power and were no longer open.
Albrecht said the storm hit Menasha and the east side of neighbouring Fox Crossing at around 12.20 pm. "At this point, we are unaware, unsure of how bad the damage is because many roads in those same areas are impassable," he said. He said first responders were trying to reach the affected area to "look for injuries, look for victims" and clear roads. He urged people to stay indoors, saying, "Right now, there are many downed power lines, downed trees, multiple hazardous situations. Please stay out." 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.
Overall, the tornado left a trail of severe damage across parts of northeastern Wisconsin, with homes and businesses destroyed, roads blocked and large-scale power cuts, while officials continued searches and urged residents to stay sheltered.
With PTI Inputs
A tornado hit northeastern Wisconsin on Monday, turning the midday sky dark, damaging homes and businesses, overturning vehicles and cutting power to more than 30,000 people as emergency teams searched affected areas.
The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado in Winnebago County, about 145 kilometres northwest of Milwaukee. Damage was reported in places including Appleton and Menasha, where officials said homes, businesses and roads were badly affected, though there were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries.
In Menasha, Police Chief Matt Albrecht said some homes and businesses were "severely impacted". Heather Schroeder, who works nearby, said she heard cracking and popping sounds as the twister destroyed a laundromat, a bakery and a neighbourhood tavern at a street corner in the city, about 48 kilometres south of Green Bay. Rescue workers pulled someone out of one of the buildings, she said, though it was not clear if the person had survived. She also said cars were turned upside down and there was a gas leak at the laundromat. "There's nothing left," Schroeder said.
The tornado also tore roofs off homes and flipped vehicles in one Menasha neighbourhood near the shore of Lake Winnebago. Video showed a path of destruction, with some homes left standing only by their outer walls. In downtown Appleton, Greg Van Driest said the sky became as dark as night. "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." Images on social media showed homes with roofs ripped off, a car thrown onto a lawn and streets covered with tree branches.
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." He said he had heard multiple reports of buildings being completely destroyed and vehicles overturned. "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 so far been no reports of injuries. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers said the state "is ready to assist communities however we can".
The weather service said the tornado was over Lake Winnebago and moving south towards Fond du Lac County at around 12.25 pm. Meteorologists in Green Bay had issued a tornado warning for the Fox Cities region, including Appleton, Menasha and Neenah, at 11.59 am. "Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely," the alert said. The area had already been under a severe thunderstorm warning for about 45 minutes, with winds of up to 97 kph possible.
The Appleton Police Department said it was aware of "several downed trees and large tree limbs throughout the city". It added that traffic signals were out and some roads were heavily backed up. Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson said there was no confirmation of fatalities or injuries in the county, which includes Appleton, but there was "extensive and severe damage" in Menasha and Fox Crossing. "All indications are that this was a devastating system that has caused extensive damage," Nelson said.
In Menasha, the local electric utility said the entire city of about 18,000 people was believed to be without power. Authorities opened a shelter at a church for people needing temporary safety or unable to stay in their homes. The city's senior centre and library also lost power and had to close. Later, Karoline Hopfensperger, a spokesperson for Winnebago County Emergency Management, said two buildings that city authorities had earlier opened for residents seeking shelter had also lost power and were no longer open.
Albrecht said the storm hit Menasha and the east side of neighbouring Fox Crossing at around 12.20 pm. "At this point, we are unaware, unsure of how bad the damage is because many roads in those same areas are impassable," he said. He said first responders were trying to reach the affected area to "look for injuries, look for victims" and clear roads. He urged people to stay indoors, saying, "Right now, there are many downed power lines, downed trees, multiple hazardous situations. Please stay out." 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.
Overall, the tornado left a trail of severe damage across parts of northeastern Wisconsin, with homes and businesses destroyed, roads blocked and large-scale power cuts, while officials continued searches and urged residents to stay sheltered.
With PTI Inputs
A tornado hit northeastern Wisconsin on Monday, turning the midday sky dark, damaging homes and businesses, overturning vehicles and cutting power to more than 30,000 people as emergency teams searched affected areas.
The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado in Winnebago County, about 145 kilometres northwest of Milwaukee. Damage was reported in places including Appleton and Menasha, where officials said homes, businesses and roads were badly affected, though there were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries.
In Menasha, Police Chief Matt Albrecht said some homes and businesses were "severely impacted". Heather Schroeder, who works nearby, said she heard cracking and popping sounds as the twister destroyed a laundromat, a bakery and a neighbourhood tavern at a street corner in the city, about 48 kilometres south of Green Bay. Rescue workers pulled someone out of one of the buildings, she said, though it was not clear if the person had survived. She also said cars were turned upside down and there was a gas leak at the laundromat. "There's nothing left," Schroeder said.
The tornado also tore roofs off homes and flipped vehicles in one Menasha neighbourhood near the shore of Lake Winnebago. Video showed a path of destruction, with some homes left standing only by their outer walls. In downtown Appleton, Greg Van Driest said the sky became as dark as night. "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." Images on social media showed homes with roofs ripped off, a car thrown onto a lawn and streets covered with tree branches.
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." He said he had heard multiple reports of buildings being completely destroyed and vehicles overturned. "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 so far been no reports of injuries. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers said the state "is ready to assist communities however we can".
The weather service said the tornado was over Lake Winnebago and moving south towards Fond du Lac County at around 12.25 pm. Meteorologists in Green Bay had issued a tornado warning for the Fox Cities region, including Appleton, Menasha and Neenah, at 11.59 am. "Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely," the alert said. The area had already been under a severe thunderstorm warning for about 45 minutes, with winds of up to 97 kph possible.
The Appleton Police Department said it was aware of "several downed trees and large tree limbs throughout the city". It added that traffic signals were out and some roads were heavily backed up. Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson said there was no confirmation of fatalities or injuries in the county, which includes Appleton, but there was "extensive and severe damage" in Menasha and Fox Crossing. "All indications are that this was a devastating system that has caused extensive damage," Nelson said.
In Menasha, the local electric utility said the entire city of about 18,000 people was believed to be without power. Authorities opened a shelter at a church for people needing temporary safety or unable to stay in their homes. The city's senior centre and library also lost power and had to close. Later, Karoline Hopfensperger, a spokesperson for Winnebago County Emergency Management, said two buildings that city authorities had earlier opened for residents seeking shelter had also lost power and were no longer open.
Albrecht said the storm hit Menasha and the east side of neighbouring Fox Crossing at around 12.20 pm. "At this point, we are unaware, unsure of how bad the damage is because many roads in those same areas are impassable," he said. He said first responders were trying to reach the affected area to "look for injuries, look for victims" and clear roads. He urged people to stay indoors, saying, "Right now, there are many downed power lines, downed trees, multiple hazardous situations. Please stay out." 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.
Overall, the tornado left a trail of severe damage across parts of northeastern Wisconsin, with homes and businesses destroyed, roads blocked and large-scale power cuts, while officials continued searches and urged residents to stay sheltered.
With PTI Inputs
