Full Breakdown
Tornado Devastates Fox Valley, Wisconsin – July 27-28 2026
7/28/2026, 11:32:16 PM
Core Event
An EF-3 tornado touched down in the Fox Cities region of northeastern Wisconsin on the afternoon of July 27, 2026, staying on the ground for more than 20 minutes. The twister carved a roughly 12-mile (19 km) path through Appleton, Menasha and Neenah, reaching a width of about 1,500 yards and wind speeds between 136 mph and 165 mph (219-266 kph). It ripped roofs, overturned vehicles, toppled trees and snapped utility poles, leaving large sections impassable.
Background & Context
Meteorologists linked the tornado to a large storm system moving through the Great Lakes, fueled by heat and humidity. A tornado warning was issued for the Fox Cities at 11:59 a.m., followed by a severe thunderstorm warning that had been in effect for about 45 minutes. The National Weather Service confirmed the EF-3 rating and documented damage across southern Outagamie County and eastern Winnebago County.
Data & Statistics
- Path length: ~12 miles (19 km)
- Maximum width: ~1,500 yards (nearly 1 mile)
- Wind speeds: 145 mph (Fox 11); 136-165 mph
- Power outages: >30,000 customers without electricity (AP); >15,000 still without power on Tuesday (PowerOutage.us); Wisconsin Public Service restored power to >19,000 customers statewide, We Energies to >79,000 (Fox 11).
Official Statements & Responses
- Gordon Hintz, Winnebago County executive, called the damage “incredible, devastating” and warned restoration could take days.
- Tom Nelson, Outagamie County executive, noted “extensive and severe damage” in Menasha and Fox Crossing.
- Matt Albrecht, Appleton police chief, urged residents to stay away from downed lines while crews clear roads.
On-the-Ground Reports
Residents described the sky turning “as dark as night” and hearing “cracking and popping” as the tornado tore through a laundromat, bakery and tavern in Menasha. One witness, Heather Schroeder, said a gas leak was discovered at the laundromat and that “there’s nothing left.” In Appleton, Greg Van Driest recalled the “ominous” darkness. Emergency crews rescued at least one person from a collapsed building; the individual’s condition was not confirmed.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Power outage figures differ: AP cites “more than 30,000” customers without power, while ClickOrlando cites “more than 15,000” still without power on Tuesday.
- Fatalities and injuries: No confirmed deaths, though AP noted a rescue from a building without confirming survival.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We have been receiving calls of damage with a lot of trees down, power lines down,” — Holley Kamba, NWS meteorologist
- “All indications are that this was a devastating system that has caused extensive damage,” — Tom Nelson
Emergency Shelters & Community Response
Three shelters opened for displaced residents: Christ the Rock Church (U.S. Highway 10/114, Menasha), the Elks Lodge (328 Nicolet Blvd, Menasha) and Calvary Bible Church (Oakridge Road, Neenah). Volunteer groups set up a sign-up page and a donation site at the former UW-Oshkosh Fox Cities campus, providing food, water and portable sanitation. A curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. was imposed in Menasha, exempting essential workers.
What’s Next
Local officials continue door-to-door assessments, and utility crews are working to restore electricity. Residents are urged to avoid hazardous areas until roads are cleared and power lines are secured.
