Wisconsin tornado: Menasha police ask public to avoid damaged area

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.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android

"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. 

Utility crews restored electricity to parts of Menasha, but many people remain without power and under a water boil advisory. A lot of streets have been cleared of debris, but sidewalks remain filled with tree limbs and trash.

"Please allow residents, first responders, utility crews, public works employees, contractors, and approved volunteers the room they need to work safely," said Menasha police. 

"Everywhere is giving out waters or free drinks. That’s pretty much what you have to do. But not only that, if you have running water, you have to boil it. We can’t even use that," said Menasha resident Joanne Wieman.

Volunteer, relief efforts

What you can do:

Volunteers at the local Piggly Wiggly are handing out free water alongside Convoy of Hope, an organization that came from Missouri to hand out supplies. FOX6 News spotted packs of bottled water left on people's doorsteps throughout the area.

"Piggly Wiggly is supplying the water, but we brought food and cleanup supplies like tarps, totes and trash bags for people who are impacted," said Paul Logan with Convoy of Hope.

Across town, Luigi's Pizza and Pasta offered free food for people in need. But one family said another need is bug spray; they're finding a lot of mosquitos after the storm.

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.

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.

Continued coverage | July 29

Dig deeper:

Severe WeatherWisconsinNews