MADISON, Wis. — A tornado ripped through Wisconsin on Monday, shattering homes, downing trees and knocking out power to thousands.
The National Weather Service used radar to confirm a tornado occurred in Winnebago County, about 90 miles northwest of Milwaukee.
Video showed large pieces of twisted metal and wood splinters scattered along a highway as cars drove around the debris. A warehouse appeared to have been severely damaged.
Greg Van Drest was working in downtown Appleton when the sky turned as dark as night.
“The word we all use is ‘ominous,'” he said. “It’s like, ‘Wow, look at that.'” … You look outside and you think it’s three o’clock in the morning and it’s so dark. “
National Weather Service meteorologist Holly Kamba said the agency is receiving reports of various damage in southern Outagamie County and eastern Winnebago County.
“We’ve been getting a lot of calls about downed trees, downed power lines, damage,” Kamba said. “We’ve been looking for some photos of structural damage.”
So far, no injuries have been reported, she said.
The National Weather Service said the tornado was moving south over Lake Winnebago toward Fond du Lac County around 12:25 p.m.
Kamba said the agency had issued warnings of “damaging, severe” thunderstorms in areas where the tornado struck.
Pictures posted on social media showed extensive damage in Appleton, including homes with roofs and siding removed, cars overturned and branches strewn across the streets.
appleton police department say on social media It was aware of “several downed trees and large limbs throughout the city.” The department said some traffic lights were out of service and some roads were “severely congested”.
Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson said he had not yet confirmed the casualties in the county, which includes Appleton. But he said Menasha and Fox Crossing had suffered “extensive and severe damage” with reports of building collapses.
“All indications are that this is a devastating system that is causing widespread damage,” Nelson said.
Nelson said it was not safe to travel in the area, with reports of damage, downed power lines and road closures.
“Stay where you are if possible,” he said. “Check in on loved ones and neighbors.”
In Menasha, the power company said some 18,000 people across the city were believed to be without power due to downed transmission lines. Authorities are opening a shelter at a church there for people seeking temporary safety or who are unable to stay at home.
“We are aware of extensive damage across a wide area,” the Menasha Police Department said in a Facebook post. “We ask the public to stay indoors, be aware of downed power lines, not drive on road closures, and do not drive in the area unless absolutely necessary.”
The National Weather Service said severe weather is expected to continue into Monday afternoon in east-central and southeastern Wisconsin. The National Weather Service said the storm is expected to bring winds in excess of 60 mph, along with hail and the possibility of isolated, short-lived tornadoes.
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Meyers-Osterman reported from Chicago. John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio, contributed to this report.
This article was generated from automated news agency feeds without modifications to the text.
