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MENASHA, Wis. (WISN) — Exactly one week after a devastating tornado tore through Winnebago County, officials are shifting their focus toward long-term recovery.
The National Weather Service rated the July 27 tornado an EF3, with estimated peak winds of 140 mph. The tornado was on the ground for more than 20 minutes and carved a roughly 12-mile path through the Appleton and Menasha areas before moving over Lake Winnebago. It damaged homes and businesses, tore roofs from buildings, toppled trees and power lines, flipped vehicles and left thousands of customers without electricity. No deaths were reported.
Beginning Monday, crews will collect damaged building materials, including bricks and siding, from affected neighborhoods. Volunteers will also go door-to-door to connect storm victims with available resources and assistance.
Beginning at 6 a.m. on Monday, the following areas will be completely closed:
Menasha: The entire area between Racine Street, Third Street/Plank Road, Konemac Street and the water.
Neenah: South Park Avenue from Yorkshire Road to Winnebago Heights.
Fox Crossing: Lakeshore Drive from Gordon Street north to the dead end.
The Wisconsin National Guard remains in Menasha to help with traffic control as cleanup work continues. A nightly curfew also remains in effect from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. in the hardest-hit areas.
Officials closed a resource distribution site over the weekend, but stressed that assistance is not ending. Instead, resources are being moved to the areas where they are needed most.
Officials said the most effective way to help storm victims now is through monetary donations.
For the next two weeks, customers at Metro Market and Pick ’n Save can round up their purchases to the nearest dollar. The donations will go to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to help tornado survivors.
Starting Monday, Lowe’s customers can also round up their purchases at checkout. Those donations will support disaster relief efforts by the American Red Cross and Samaritan’s Purse.
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