Destructive tornado touches down near Appleton, Wisconsin, leaving trail of damage
(ABC NEWS) — A destructive tornado ripped through parts of Wisconsin on Monday afternoon, with images from the affected area showing toppled trees and power lines and damaged buildings.
At least three other tornadoes were reported on Monday in Wisconsin and Illinois, but have yet to be confirmed by the National Weather Service (NWS).
The most destructive tornado, confirmed by the NWS, touched down south of Appleton, Wisconsin, in Outagamie County southwest of Green Bay. The tornado moved through the cities of Neenah and Oshkosh, in Winnebago County.
Based on damage assessments, the tornado was assigned a preliminary rating of EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, meaning estimated peak winds of at least 111 mph, according to the NWS.
Storm damage surveys will continue in the area on Tuesday, but numerous homes appeared to have been damaged or destroyed by the twister in Menasha, Wis., a city about 7 miles southeast of Appleton.
While several people were injured by the tornado, authorities said no deaths were reported.
“I have been briefed on the storms making their way through Wisconsin. The state is ready to assist communities however we can,” Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said in a social media post on Monday afternoon.
The twister was also reported over parts of nearby Lake Winnebago as a waterspout.
According to initial reports from Outagamie County officials, there were numerous trees damaged in the area, along with fallen branches and a few downed trees clogging streets.
A power outage was affecting more than 400,000 utility customers in Wisconsin and Illinois on Monday afternoon, according to PowerOutage.us. That number had decreased to just under 248,000 by Tuesday morning.
The city of Menasha said in a statement that its police, fire and public works departments were “actively responding to significant storm damage” through the city.
“Please do not travel into Menasha at this time unless it is an emergency,” the city’s statement said. “Traffic congestion, downed trees, power lines, debris, and blocked roadways are preventing emergency responders and utility crews from reaching affected areas.”
The tornadoes hit as a line of severe thunderstorms swept across eastern Wisconsin and northeastern Illinois on Monday afternoon. Severe thunderstorms capable of producing very large hail were reported in Milwaukee before hitting the Chicago metropolitan area.
A flash flood warning also was issued on Monday afternoon for the Chicago area.
