A tornado struck parts of Menasha and Appleton, Wisconsin, Monday afternoon, damaging homes, uprooting trees and leaving thousands without power. Local authorities said they were responding to numerous calls about the storm and were asking residents to stay indoors while they assessed the damage.
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The National Weather Service described the tornado as “very dangerous” and issued a tornado warning, the second-highest level, just after 12 p.m. CT.
After the tornado struck Menasha, it moved over Lake Winnebago and disappeared over the water. It was observed for at least 20 minutes from near Appleton to the north shore of the lake.
Video from Menasha obtained by CNN shows homes with part of their roofs missing, structures stripped of their exteriors amid piles of rubble, downed utility poles and uprooted trees. One video shows a vehicle flipped over on the side of the road.
“We are aware of widespread and severe damage. We are asking the public to stay indoors, be aware of downed power lines, avoid driving near road closures, and do not drive in the area unless absolutely necessary,” the Menasha Police Department posted on Facebook Monday afternoon.
The entire city of Menasha may be without power, according to a post from city-owned Menasha Utilities. More than 15,000 customers are without power in Winnebago and Calumet counties, where Menasha is located, according to PowerOutage.us. More than 18,000 customers are without power in neighboring Outagamie County, where Appleton is primarily located.
CNN has contacted authorities for further information.
The storm that spawned the tornado could produce more tornadoes as it moves south across eastern Wisconsin, and the National Weather Service said it was closely monitoring the storm.
An assessment of the tornado’s strength is not yet available, but the National Weather Service was surveying the damage Monday afternoon and is expected to issue a preliminary assessment soon.
A 29-year-old man died early Monday in Whitewater, Wisconsin, after being struck by suspected lightning as storms moved across the area, according to a Whitewater Fire and EMS news release. The man was part of a local energy company’s tree removal crew.
Just before 10 a.m. local time, “the crew supervisor reported hearing a ‘loud bang and flash’ and believed the tree had been struck by lightning,” the statement said. Police and the Walworth County Coroner’s Office are still investigating.
More than 390,000 customers were without power in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana as severe thunderstorms with damaging winds continued across the region. The storm system, which stretched from south Chicago to neighboring northwestern Indiana, was predicted to have wind gusts of up to 160 mph.
A Severe Thunderstorm Danger Level 3/5 is in effect for much of the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley on Monday, primarily due to these strong winds. Large hail is also a threat in these areas, but more isolated tornadoes are possible.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
