"Extremely dangerous" tornado hits eastern Wisconsin
An "extremely dangerous" tornado hit parts of eastern Wisconsin on Monday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
The agency said a "confirmed and extremely dangerous" tornado was spotted near Appleton, Menasha, and Lake Winnebago, about 30 miles southwest of Green Bay, around 12:15 p.m.
"Other locations impacted by the tornado include Neenah, Sherwood, Harrison, Stockbridge, Quinney, Kloten, Brant, Brothertown, Jericho and Charlesburg," the agency said.
National Weather Service meteorologist Holley Kamba said the agency was receiving reports of a variety of damage in southern Outagamie County and eastern Winnebago County,
"We have been receiving calls of damage with a lot of trees down, power lines down," Kamba said. "We've been searching for some pictures of the structural damage."
So far, there have been no reports of injuries, she said.
The Appleton Police Department posted a photo of downed trees and power lines on Facebook on Monday afternoon.
"The City of Appleton and neighboring municipalities are currently responding to many storm related calls. We will be updating the public as information becomes available," officials said in the post on Facebook.
Images posted to social media showed extensive damage in Appleton, including homes stripped of roofs and siding, cars flipped over and streets littered with tree limbs. The Appleton Police Department said it is responding to many storm-related calls.
Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson said he did not yet have any confirmation of fatalities or injuries in the county, which includes Appleton. But he said there was "extensive and severe damage" in Menasha and Fox Crossing with reports of collapsed buildings.
"All indications are that this was a devastating system that has caused extensive damage," Nelson said.
In Menasha, the electric utility said the entire city of about 18,000 people is believed to be without power because of a downed transmission line. Authorities were opening a shelter at a church there for people seeking temporary safety or can't remain in their homes.
"We are aware of severe damage in broad areas," the Menasha Police Department said in a Facebook post. "We are asking the public to stay indoors, watch out for downed power lines, do not drive around road closures, and do not drive around the area unless absolutely necessary."
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers posted on X that he has been briefed on the storms that have been moving through the state.
The state is ready to assist communities however we can. I also want to thank the emergency responders who are hitting the ground to help," Evers wrote. "As storms continue, stay alert and stay safe, Wisconsin."
