Gov. Tony Evers on Thursday announced he has activated the Wisconsin National Guard to support Winnebago County’s recovery efforts in the aftermath of the destructive storms that destroyed homes and businesses on Monday.
The announcement came after Evers toured extensive storm damage in Menasha, where he met with local officials, first responders, affected residents and volunteers.
On July 27, Northeastern Wisconsin experienced severe storms that resulted in at least one confirmed tornado.
Preliminary surveys indicate EF3-level damage in the Appleton and Menasha area, along with high winds, hail, power failures and disruptions to public water systems.
According to the National Weather Service, EF3-level damage characterizes severe destruction with wind speeds from 136 to 165 miles per hour. Such strong winds are capable of destroying entire stories of well-built houses, uprooting trees and overturning trains.
On Tuesday, Evers signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency to help ensure state agencies, utilities and emergency management officials can respond quickly to damage caused by the storms.
“We are continuing to assess the devastation Wisconsin is seeing, especially in Winnebago County,” Evers said in a statement. “Families, businesses, and entire neighborhoods are hurting, and we are committed to doing everything we can to help them recover.”
In addition to the state of emergency declared by Evers earlier this week, local officials declared states of emergency and mobilized public works, law enforcement and volunteers.
As crews work around the clock to clear debris and restore critical utilities, Evers said the scale of the destruction has become increasingly evident.
He said National Guard members will aid local authorities with debris removal, traffic and safety support, wellness checks and other essential services as requested by county officials.
State and local officials urge residents to avoid downed power lines, respect road closures and allow emergency crews space to operate safely.
