An EF-3 tornado touched down in northeastern Wisconsin on Monday, July 27, 2026, causing extensive damage to homes and infrastructure [4], [5].
The storm's prolonged duration and intensity highlight the vulnerability of the Fox Valley region to extreme weather events. The tornado stayed on the ground for more than 20 minutes [1], carving a path of destruction through communities including Menasha and Appleton [3], [4].
Local officials said the tornado damaged vehicles, trees, and residential homes [1], [2]. The storm was spun off by a large weather system that moved through the Great Lakes region [2]. The affected area is located in the Fox Cities region, approximately 35 miles south of Green Bay [3], [4].
Power outages followed the storm's path, though reports on the scale of the blackout vary. One report said more than 30,000 people lost power [2], while another source said the number exceeded 390,000 customers [5].
Emergency crews worked through Tuesday to clear debris and restore electricity to the impacted neighborhoods. The EF-3 rating indicates significant wind speeds capable of causing severe structural damage [4].
“The tornado stayed on the ground for more than 20 minutes”
The variance in power outage reports—ranging from 30,000 to 390,000 customers—suggests a rapidly evolving situation or a discrepancy between localized neighborhood outages and broader regional grid failures. The EF-3 classification confirms this was a high-intensity event, as tornadoes of this strength typically cause devastating damage to well-constructed homes.
