Appleton-area tornado recovery brings road, power and water-safety concerns after July 27 storm

Recovery efforts continued Tuesday, July 28, after a tornado moved through the Appleton area Monday, July 27, damaging homes and businesses, blocking roads and leaving residents to navigate power, water and access restrictions.

The National Weather Service said preliminary damage surveys rated the tornado EF3, with estimated winds of up to 140 mph. It developed about 2 miles west-northwest of Appleton at approximately 11:56 a.m. July 27, tracked south through Fox Crossing and Menasha, and dissipated over Lake Winnebago around 12:22 p.m. CDT. The survey remains preliminary and may be updated.

Roads and access remain difficult

The NWS tornado warning issued at 11:59 a.m. included Appleton, Menasha, Kimberly and Little Chute, among other nearby communities. After the storm, officials reported downed trees and power lines, debris, traffic congestion and blocked roadways in Appleton, Menasha and Neenah.

WBAY reported that the east side of Fox Crossing and the City of Menasha were closed, with vehicle traffic not being allowed into Menasha at the time of the report. Residents were urged to avoid affected areas unless travel was necessary, obey barricades and stay away from damaged structures and downed power lines.

Emergency declarations and curfew

Neenah, Menasha and Grand Chute each declared a local emergency or disaster after the storm. Winnebago County also activated its Emergency Operations Center through county emergency management. These declarations support local response coordination and resource use; they do not by themselves mean state or federal disaster aid has been approved.

Fox Crossing and Menasha have a citywide curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. until further notice. The rule applies to public streets, roads, parks, school grounds and other public places. WBAY reported an exception for people whose employment requires them to be out during those hours.

Boil-water order covers specific customers

The boil-water order does not apply to all of Appleton. It covers Fox Crossing east of the Fox River and Menasha residents served by the Fox Crossing water utility. Residents should verify whether their address is within the affected service area and follow current utility instructions.

WBAY reported that residents sheltering in place were asked to conserve water. Because utility conditions can change as crews inspect and repair infrastructure, residents should rely on the latest local notices before using tap water.

Shelters and transportation

Reported shelter locations included Christ the Rock Community Church at W6254 US Highway 10/114 in Menasha, which was open for overnight sheltering; the Elks Lodge at 328 Nicolet Blvd. in Menasha, open until 10 p.m.; and Calvary Bible Church on Oakridge Road in Neenah, open until 9 p.m. Pets were not allowed, except for service animals.

Residents who could not reach a shelter independently could use bus transportation from the former Shopko parking lot at 1150 Midway Road, near Midway and Appleton, to Christ the Rock Community Church. WBAY reported that bus service ended at 9 p.m. Shelter hours and transportation arrangements may change, so residents should check current local updates before traveling.

Power restoration may take days

The Associated Press reported that the storm knocked out power to more than 30,000 people across the region. Winnebago County’s top elected official said it could take several days to restore power in the hardest-hit areas.

Residents should continue monitoring local government, county emergency management, utility and public-safety updates for changing road restrictions, water guidance, shelter availability and restoration timelines. Conditions may change quickly as crews clear debris and assess damage.

Sources

• National Weather Service Green Bay tornado summary
• WBAY Fox Valley recovery report
• Associated Press Wisconsin tornado report