Destructive EF-2 Tornado Strikes Appleton, Wisconsin, Leaving Damage in Its Wake
A confirmed EF-2 tornado touched down south of Appleton, Wisconsin, on Monday afternoon, July 27, 2026, as severe thunderstorms swept through eastern Wisconsin and northeastern Illinois. The tornado, with estimated peak winds of at least 111 mph, moved through Outagamie and Winnebago Counties, impacting cities such as Neenah and Oshkosh. It briefly became a waterspout over Lake Winnebago before dissipating. The storm caused significant damage, including downed trees, power lines, and debris-clogged streets. Over 400,000 utility customers in Wisconsin and Illinois experienced power outages. Local authorities, including Menasha's police, fire, and public works departments, are actively responding to the damage. Severe thunderstorms in the region also brought large hail and destructive straight-line winds exceeding 70 mph.