WINNEBAGO COUNTY — A confirmed tornado struck Winnebago County, Wisconsin, on Monday, July 27, 2026, causing structural damage and widespread power outages in Appleton and Menasha. The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado near Appleton, Menasha, and Lake Winnebago around 12:15 p.m. knocking out power to more than 30,000 people across the region.

The storm hit Menasha and the east side of neighboring Fox Crossing at around 12:20 p.m. ripping roofs off homes and flipping vehicles. By 12:25 p.m. the twister was over Lake Winnebago and moving southward toward Fond du Lac county. In Menasha, the electric utility said the entire city of about 18,000 people was believed to be without power because of a downed transmission line.

There were no reports of fatalities or injuries as of Monday evening, but emergency officials were still searching for victims in damaged buildings. Winnebago County Executive Gordon Hintz said he received multiple reports of buildings destroyed and vehicles overturned. "There were no reports of fatalities or injuries as of Monday evening, but emergency officials were still searching," Hintz said.

Emergency crews sought to enter the affected area to look for injuries, look for victims, and clear the roads. Rescue workers pulled a person out of one of the damaged buildings in Menasha, though no injuries were confirmed.

Menasha Police Chief Matt Albrecht warned residents away from the hardest-hit zones due to hazardous conditions. "Right now, there are many downed power lines, downed trees, multiple hazardous situations," Albrecht said. He urged the public to avoid non-emergency travel.

"Please stay out," he added. Authorities were opening a shelter at a church in Menasha for displaced residents.

Appleton also sustained damage, with images on social media showing homes stripped of roofs and streets littered with tree limbs. The Appleton Police Department said it was aware of several downed trees and large tree limbs throughout the city. Traffic signals were out and some roads were heavily backed up in Appleton. The department posted a photo of the debris on Facebook, stating that the city and neighboring municipalities were responding to many storm-related calls.

Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson reported extensive and severe damage in Menasha and Fox Crossing, including reports of collapsed buildings. Nelson said he did not have any confirmation of fatalities or injuries in Outagamie County. He noted that it was not safe to travel in the area with reports of damage, power lines down, and road closures.

"Stay put if possible," Nelson said. "Check on loved ones and neighbors."

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers posted on X that he had been briefed on the storms and that the state was ready to assist. "The state is ready to assist communities however we can," Evers said. He also thanked emergency responders for their efforts.

"I also want to thank the emergency responders who are hitting the ground to help," he wrote. "As storms continue, stay alert and stay safe, Wisconsin."

The tornado was spun off by a large storm system that moved through the Great Lakes. National Weather Service meteorologists in Green Bay issued a tornado warning at 11:59 a.m. for the Fox Cities region, which includes Appleton, Menasha, and Neenah. The area had been under a severe thunderstorm warning for about 45 minutes before the tornado warning.

Meteorologists indicated the storm was capable of producing winds up to 60 mph (97 kph). The warning noted that flying debris would be dangerous to those caught without shelter and that mobile homes could be damaged or destroyed.

Other locations impacted by the tornado include Neenah, Sherwood, Harrison, Stockbridge, Quinney, Kloten, Brant, Brothertown, Jericho, and Charlesburg. Video footage showed chunks of twisted metal and pieces of wood scattered across one highway, and a warehouse appeared to be heavily damaged. There was a gas leak at a laundromat in Menasha.

He said it could be several days before power in the stricken area is restored. "Clearly some significant damage done with power lines down and things like that," he said.

The storm was clearing out of Wisconsin and moving south of Milwaukee through the Chicago area as it began to dissipate later on Monday. The National Weather Service had not yet confirmed how many tornadoes impacted the area, though multiple possible tornadoes were reported in eastern Wisconsin. Authorities in eastern Wisconsin responded to hundreds of emergency calls after severe weather tore through the region.