Tornado that stayed on ground for over 20 minutes leaves trail of destruction in northeastern Wisconsin, no fatalities reported

A long-lived twister

The tornado touched down early afternoon on Monday in the Fox Cities region, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) northwest of Milwaukee. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a tornado warning at 11:59 a.m., followed by the twister moving southward over Lake Winnebago by 12:25 p.m. It remained on the ground for more than 20 minutes, cutting a path of roughly 12 miles (19 kilometers) through Winnebago and Outagamie counties before dissipating. Preliminary data from the NWS rates the tornado at least an EF2, with an initial assessment of EF3 and winds of 136–165 mph (219–266 kph). Meteorologist Roy Eckberg noted that its southward movement was unusual for the region, where storms typically track east or northeast.

Damage in the Fox Cities

The storm struck Menasha and Appleton with intense winds, tearing roofs from homes and businesses, flipping vehicles, and shearing off treetops. In Menasha, blocks from Lake Winnebago, some structures were reduced to their outer walls. Police chief Matt Albrecht said several homes and businesses were "severely impacted." Cars were turned upside-down, and a gas leak was reported. A warehouse was heavily damaged, and social media images showed a car thrown onto a lawn and streets buried under branches. The Appleton Police Department said there were "several downed trees and large tree limbs throughout the city," with traffic signals out and roads heavily backed up.

Power crisis and broader storm

At the peak, more than 30,000 households lost electricity; the entire city of Menasha, with about 18,000 residents, went dark after a transmission line failed. By Tuesday, over 15,000 customers were still without power, and officials warned that full restoration could take several days. The tornado was part of a large storm system moving through the Great Lakes, fueled by heat and humidity. The same system triggered power outages in three states and, according to Czech broadcaster ČT24, was linked to at least one death from a lightning strike.

Search and official reaction

No fatalities or confirmed serious injuries from the tornado itself had been reported by Monday evening, though rescue crews were still combing through debris. Witness Heather Schroeder saw rescue workers pull someone from a destroyed building in Menasha, but their condition was unknown. Winnebago County Executive Gordon Hintz said, "Obviously, the footage looks devastating. Clearly some significant damage done with power lines down and things like that." He stressed that all tornado warnings had been activated ahead of time.

“All indications are that this was a devastating system that has caused extensive damage.”

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers said the state is "ready to assist communities however we can." Shelters opened for displaced residents, and a boil water advisory was issued in Fox Crossing after the water system lost pressure.

Eyewitness accounts

Greg Van Driest, working in downtown Appleton, described the midday sky turning black. "The word we all were using was 'ominous,'" he recalled. "You looked outside and you thought it was three in the morning; it was that dark." Heather Schroeder heard popping and cracking all around her as the tornado demolished a laundromat, a bakery, and a tavern. She watched rescue workers pull a person from the rubble, though it was unclear if they survived. The twister then moved over Lake Winnebago and dissipated, sparing areas farther south.