Wisconsin tornado near Appleton leaves heavy damage and power outages
The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado near Appleton, Menasha and Lake Winnebago, with officials reporting major damage and outages.
By Sal Moretti · Money Reporter
3 min read
A confirmed Wisconsin tornado near Appleton tore through eastern parts of the state Monday afternoon, damaging buildings, bringing down power lines and leaving thousands without electricity, according to the National Weather Service and local officials.
The National Weather Service said the tornado was reported around 12:15 p.m. near Appleton, Menasha and Lake Winnebago, about 30 miles southwest of Green Bay. The agency described the tornado as “extremely dangerous” and said communities including Neenah, Sherwood, Harrison, Stockbridge, Quinney, Kloten, Brant, Brothertown, Jericho and Charlesburg were also in the storm’s path.
CBS News reported that video from the area showed metal and wood strewn across a highway, with vehicles steering around debris. A warehouse appeared to have sustained heavy damage.
Where did the Wisconsin tornado hit?
The tornado hit parts of eastern Wisconsin, with the National Weather Service placing it near Appleton, Menasha and Lake Winnebago. The agency also reported damage calls from southern Outagamie County and eastern Winnebago County.
Greg Van Driest, who was working in downtown Appleton as the storm moved in, told CBS News the sky became so dark that people around him compared it to the middle of the night. “The word we all were using was ‘ominous,’” he said.
Winnebago County Executive Gordon Hintz said he was not aware of deaths or injuries, though emergency crews were still searching. He said the images from the area looked “devastating” and described downed power lines and significant damage.
Hintz said he had heard multiple reports of buildings being completely destroyed and vehicles overturned on roads. He also said all advance storm warnings that could be used to get people to safety had been activated.
National Weather Service meteorologist Holley Kamba said the agency was receiving reports of trees and power lines down in the affected area, along with possible structural damage. She said there had been no injury reports at that point.
The Appleton Police Department said on Facebook that the city and nearby municipalities were responding to many storm-related calls. The department also posted a photo showing downed trees and power lines.
Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson said he did not yet have confirmation of fatalities or injuries in the county, which includes Appleton. He said Menasha and Fox Crossing had “extensive and severe damage,” including reports of collapsed buildings.
Nelson warned residents that travel was unsafe because of storm damage, road closures and downed power lines. “Stay put if possible,” he said. “Check on loved ones and neighbors.”
In Menasha, the local electric utility said the entire city of about 18,000 people was believed to be without power because a transmission line was down. Authorities were opening a church shelter for people who needed temporary safety or could not remain in their homes.
The Menasha Police Department said in a Facebook post that officials were aware of severe damage across broad areas. Police urged people to stay indoors, avoid downed power lines, obey road closures and avoid unnecessary travel.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said in a post on X that he had been briefed on storms moving through the state and that Wisconsin was ready to help affected communities. The National Weather Service said additional storms could bring strong winds, hail and the chance of an isolated brief tornado.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS News.