A powerful tornado struck the Fox Cities region of northeastern Wisconsin on July 27, causing widespread destruction across Appleton, Menasha, Fox Crossing, and surrounding communities in Outagamie and Winnebago counties.
The National Weather Service has assigned the tornado a preliminary EF3 rating, with estimated peak winds of 140 mph. The tornado remained on the ground for more than 20 minutes, traveled approximately 12 miles, and reached nearly one mile wide, making it the strongest tornado to impact Outagamie and Winnebago counties since 1984.
FOX Weather reported catastrophic damage throughout the Fox Valley, describing neighborhoods with destroyed homes, overturned vehicles, snapped utility poles, and thousands of downed trees. Storm survey teams continue evaluating the full extent of the damage while local officials work to restore essential services.
According to the Associated Press, the tornado caused extensive damage across residential neighborhoods, businesses, and critical infrastructure.
Current confirmed impacts include:
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers declared a State of Emergency for the impacted communities.
The Associated Press reports that first responders continue conducting searches of damaged neighborhoods while county officials complete structural damage assessments. Shelters have been opened for displaced residents, and utility providers continue restoring electrical service throughout the affected area.
Outagamie County Emergency Management has also published ongoing updates regarding road closures, shelter locations, communications outages, and community recovery resources.
Response efforts continue to expand as local churches, nonprofit organizations, emergency management agencies, and voluntary organizations work together to meet immediate needs.
As damage assessments continue, anticipated needs include:
Additional volunteer opportunities are expected to emerge as communities transition from response into recovery.
Financial donations remain one of the most effective ways to support the initial response and early recovery. Support trusted local organizations and established disaster-response partners actively serving affected communities. Support this Response
As cleanup operations expand and relief efforts begin, volunteer opportunities are expected to become available through trusted local churches and response organizations. See map and list of responses below.
Status: Monitoring / Assessment – Response deployments are being coordinated as trusted partners continue assessing needs and identifying opportunities to serve.
Serve Source is actively supporting response and recovery efforts across Wisconsin by connecting with trusted partners and providing timely, verified information to help churches, ministries, and response organizations work together effectively.
Church leaders and response agencies: We want to connect with you & support.
Connect with Serve Source or email info@servesource.org.
View our Partner Response Locations below to see organizations currently serving in the impacted area. Serve Source will continue monitoring the situation and will provide updates as additional verified information becomes available.
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This deployment will focus on serving homeowners through advanced technical tree work, traditional tree work, debris removal, roof tarping, and other disaster response.\n\nWhether you're an experienced disaster responder or serving for the very first time, we need you. Stay with us, eat with us, serve alongside us, and be equipped by experienced leaders in the field. 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