Menasha tornado causes extensive damage and cuts power to thousands of homes

A tornado swept through Wisconsin on Monday, damaging homes, downing trees and knocking out power to thousands of people. The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado in Winnebago County, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) northwest of Milwaukee. Crews on the ground have found at least EF2 tornado damage as of Monday night. According to the NWS, EF2 tornadoes reach a wind gust of 111 to 135 mph. The twister was moving over Lake Winnebago and moving southward toward Fond du Lac County around 12:25 p.m., the National Weather Service said. Images posted to social media showed extensive damage in Appleton, including homes stripped of roofs and siding, cars flipped over and streets littered with tree limbs. In Menasha, the electric utility said the entire city of about 18,000 people is believed to be without power because of a downed transmission line. Gov. Tony Evers issued a statement Monday afternoon saying: "I have been briefed on the storms making their way through Wisconsin. The state is ready to assist communities however we can. I also want to thank the emergency responders who are hitting the ground to help. As storms continue, stay alert and stay safe, Wisconsin." The Menasha police department is urging people not to travel into Menasha unless its an emergency. In a statement, they said officers, the Neenah-Menasha Fire Rescue, the Department of Public Works, utility crews and public safety partners are responding to significant storm damage throughout the City of Menasha. The Winnebago County Office of Emergency Management announced it is opening an emergency shelter at Christ the Rock Community Center Shelter in Menasha starting at 2:30 p.m. Monday. The police department said the Menasha Senior Center as well as the Menasha Public Library are open as emergency cooling shelters.