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EF-3 Tornado Strikes Fox Valley, Leaving Menasha and Appleton in Disarray
On Monday, July 27, a 1,500‑yard EF‑3 tornado swept through the Fox Valley, striking Menasha, Appleton and Neenah. The National Weather Service measured the storm’s 12.1‑mile track and 140‑mph winds, a force that toppled homes, snapped power lines and shredded trees. Officials confirmed that, despite the devastation, no deaths were reported.
Residents described the event as sudden and terrifying. Menasha’s Mickey Mueller recalled the tornado “took an hour and 40 minutes to go 6 miles” and that people were “patient for the most part, but you get home and you don’t expect that you’re just gonna see carnage.” Another local, Taylor Folske, noted a “light blue shelf” of clouds moving across the sky before the storm struck. Ellen McCoy heard a “loud whistling” as trees “were just going everywhere” and the wind “was really bad.”
In response to the damage, Menasha officials have imposed a curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. The restriction covers all persons on foot, bicycle or vehicle on public streets, avenues, highways, roads, alleys, parks, school grounds, beaches, cemeteries, playgrounds and public buildings, except for emergency personnel and those whose jobs require presence on public streets during those hours.
Emergency shelters have opened to house displaced residents. Christ the Rock Church on U.S. Highway 10/114, the Elks Lodge on Nicolet Boulevard and Calvary Bible Church on Oakridge Road are offering overnight shelter. Winnebago County officials reported no deaths as of 7:30 p.m. Monday.
Power restoration is underway. Wisconsin Public Service crews have restored power to more than 19,000 customers, while We Energies has reconnected over 79,000 customers across the state. Matt Cullen, a utility representative, warned that extensive damage to lines and poles means full restoration will take time.
County executives have coordinated recovery efforts. Winnebago County executive Gordon Hintz described the devastation as “like a bulldozer came through and knocked it over” and said the community will need “long days” to recover. Outagamie County executive Tom Nelson noted that a portion of Appleton near Prospect Avenue and Xavier High School remains inaccessible and urged residents to dial 211 for non‑emergencies.
Volunteer Fox Cities has created a sign‑up page for community members who want to assist with storm response and recovery. Volunteers are on standby while response needs are identified. Those able to provide food, water or other supplies are directed to the former UW–Oshkosh Fox Cities campus, where a donation area will open at noon Tuesday. Portable restrooms and handwashing stations are being set up.
The National Weather Service’s confirmation of an EF‑3 rating places the tornado in the “strong” category of the Enhanced Fujita Scale, indicating significant structural damage and high wind speeds. The storm’s 12.1‑mile track and 1,500‑yard width align with other powerful events that have affected the Fox Valley.
As of Tuesday, the community is focused on cleanup and rebuilding. Power outages persist in some areas, and residents are advised to stay away from damaged zones, avoid downed power lines, and follow barricades set by emergency personnel. The curfew remains in effect until further notice.
The recovery effort will involve coordination between county officials, utility companies, emergency shelters and volunteer groups. While no fatalities have been reported, the extent of the damage underscores the need for continued support and resources as the Fox Valley works to return to normalcy.
Residents described the event as sudden and terrifying. Menasha’s Mickey Mueller recalled the tornado “took an hour and 40 minutes to go 6 miles” and that people were “patient for the most part, but you get home and you don’t expect that you’re just gonna see carnage.” Another local, Taylor Folske, noted a “light blue shelf” of clouds moving across the sky before the storm struck. Ellen McCoy heard a “loud whistling” as trees “were just going everywhere” and the wind “was really bad.”
In response to the damage, Menasha officials have imposed a curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. The restriction covers all persons on foot, bicycle or vehicle on public streets, avenues, highways, roads, alleys, parks, school grounds, beaches, cemeteries, playgrounds and public buildings, except for emergency personnel and those whose jobs require presence on public streets during those hours.
Emergency shelters have opened to house displaced residents. Christ the Rock Church on U.S. Highway 10/114, the Elks Lodge on Nicolet Boulevard and Calvary Bible Church on Oakridge Road are offering overnight shelter. Winnebago County officials reported no deaths as of 7:30 p.m. Monday.
Power restoration is underway. Wisconsin Public Service crews have restored power to more than 19,000 customers, while We Energies has reconnected over 79,000 customers across the state. Matt Cullen, a utility representative, warned that extensive damage to lines and poles means full restoration will take time.
County executives have coordinated recovery efforts. Winnebago County executive Gordon Hintz described the devastation as “like a bulldozer came through and knocked it over” and said the community will need “long days” to recover. Outagamie County executive Tom Nelson noted that a portion of Appleton near Prospect Avenue and Xavier High School remains inaccessible and urged residents to dial 211 for non‑emergencies.
Volunteer Fox Cities has created a sign‑up page for community members who want to assist with storm response and recovery. Volunteers are on standby while response needs are identified. Those able to provide food, water or other supplies are directed to the former UW–Oshkosh Fox Cities campus, where a donation area will open at noon Tuesday. Portable restrooms and handwashing stations are being set up.
The National Weather Service’s confirmation of an EF‑3 rating places the tornado in the “strong” category of the Enhanced Fujita Scale, indicating significant structural damage and high wind speeds. The storm’s 12.1‑mile track and 1,500‑yard width align with other powerful events that have affected the Fox Valley.
As of Tuesday, the community is focused on cleanup and rebuilding. Power outages persist in some areas, and residents are advised to stay away from damaged zones, avoid downed power lines, and follow barricades set by emergency personnel. The curfew remains in effect until further notice.
The recovery effort will involve coordination between county officials, utility companies, emergency shelters and volunteer groups. While no fatalities have been reported, the extent of the damage underscores the need for continued support and resources as the Fox Valley works to return to normalcy.
