Wisconsin tornado: National Guard requested, debris management
Menasha tornado damage, looting concerns
Menasha police continue to warn people to stay out of the area. An emergency 10 p.m. curfew remains in effect for a fourth night. And now there's another concern: looting.
MILWAUKEE - The Menasha Police Department continues to warn people to stay out of the area, an emergency 10 p.m. curfew in effect for a fourth night, after Monday's tornado.
Neighbors pick up pieces
What they're saying:
All hands are on deck in Menasha as neighbors continue to pick up pieces left from the tornado and storm that tore through the area. As recovery efforts ramp up, neighbors say they are now facing a new challenge.
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"If you haven't gone through it, you really can't know what it's like," Kim Hollander said.
"This is like our nightmare come true," Jamie Miske said.
Storm damage in Menasha on July 30, 2026. An EF-3 tornado hit on July 27, 2026.
The Miske family is among those left in the devastation. Leaving them without a home that they continue to guard.
"The windows are pretty much gone, foundation," Cruz Miske said.
Looting concerns
What they're saying:
The Miske family said they stayed because looters were out "right away" Monday night after the storm. It is a problem that has gotten the attention of neighbors.
"It's like why add salt to an injury, you know? We're all hurting," Hollander said.
Wisconsin tornado aftermath: Volunteers and cleanup crews helping
St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Menasha is without power and clean water. Staff and volunteers say that is not stopping them from feeding and serving those impacted the most by Monday’s devastating tornado.
The Menasha Police Department currently has a curfew that runs from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Menasha police said they made two arrests Tuesday.
Menasha Police Chief Matt Albrecht said three people – an adult from Menasha and two 17-year-olds from outside Menasha – were arrested Wednesday night after curfew. Those people were issued citations, and one of them was booked into the Winnebago County Jail.
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It is a situation that has brought many neighbors on edge.
"Physically mentally just worn out. We haven't been able to sleep, we're afraid people are going to steal stuff," a neighbor said.
Menasha police have since made an announcement asking members of the public who are not from Menasha, to stay away from storm-damaged areas and to not remove metal or items seen.
National Guard request
What they're saying:
Winnebago County Executive Gordon Hintz said the Wisconsin National Guard's help has been requested as Fox Valley communities deal with the aftermath of the tornado.
Hintz said the request was made by the city of Menasha, village of Fox Crossing, city of Neenah and town of Neenah. He said the National Guard can help support debris management, logistics, traffic control and other things as local first responders and public works crews focus on other responsibilities.
Officials said there have been reports of tree debris and household waste being burned and urged residents to use approved disposal methods and avoid outdoor fires until a burn ban is lifted. Improper fires can spread quickly and expose residents to toxic fumes, interfering with ongoing recovery efforts.
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.
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.
Portions of this article were formatted using A.I. FOX6’s Abril Preciado and an editor reviewed it for accuracy and tone prior to publishing.
The Source: Information in this story is from FOX6 News interviews, Winnebago County Executive Gordon Hintz, Menasha Mayor Austin Hammond, the National Weather Service and prior coverage of the storm and its aftermath.