Wisconsin tornado: Menasha police ask public to avoid damaged area
Recovery efforts underway in Menasha after tornado
Recovery efforts underway in Menasha after an EF-tornado hit the area on Monday. Power has been partially restored in Menasha as of Wednesday morning.
MENASHA, Wis. - The Menasha Police Department has asked the public to steer clear of storm-damaged areas while emergency and utility crews work through the aftermath of Monday's EF-3 tornado.
Storm-damaged neighborhoods
What they're saying:
Menasha police said they continue to see people traveling into storm-damaged neighborhoods, creating traffic jams that block emergency responders and delay utility repairs.
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"Unless you live in the affected area, are assisting a resident, or are part of an official volunteer response coordinated through Volunteer Fox Cities, please stay away. We appreciate everyone who wants to help, but please do not self-deploy," Menasha police said.
Menasha, Appleton tornado damage; Evers declares state of emergency
Gov. Tony Evers on Tuesday declared a state of emergency after an EF-3 tornado hit the Menasha and Appleton areas on Monday.
Utility crews restored electricity to parts of Menasha as of 7:45 a.m. on Wednesday, July 29.
"Please allow residents, first responders, utility crews, public works employees, contractors, and approved volunteers the room they need to work safely," said Menasha police.
Volunteer Fox Cities
What you can do:
Official volunteers are being run through Volunteer Fox Cities efforts to help ensure people are sent where they are needed, have the proper information, and do not interfere with emergency and recovery operations.
EF-3 tornado
By the numbers:
According to the NWS damage survey team, a tornado touched down right around 11:56 a.m. just north of Wisconsin Avenue in Appleton on July 27. The tornado rapidly intensified – with max winds of 140 mph – as it tracked south into Winnebago County.
The EF-3 tornado was on the ground for 26 minutes, the NWS said. It covered 12.1 miles and moved south at 28 mph. It touched down in Appleton, went through Menasha and out over Lake Winnebago before it lifted.
Car trapped by power lines during tornado in Menasha
Dashcam footage captures the terrifying moment severe storms in Menasha brought power lines crashing down onto a car. The driver was not hurt. (Video courtesy: Autumn W.)
The Wisconsin State Climatology Office said it was the state's fourth EF-3 of 2026 – the most tornadoes rated EF-3 or higher to occur in the state since 1984. Historically, fewer than 5% of the state's tornadoes have ranked above EF-2.
The NWS said the worst damage occurred in the Fox Crossing and Menasha areas, where several businesses were heavily damaged near Highway 10.
The Source: The information in this post was provided by the Menasha Police Department.