Evers Activates Wisconsin National Guard for Fox Valley Tornado Recovery

The deployment will add troops for debris removal, wellness checks and traffic support to speed restoration of power and water services.

Overview

A powerful storm on Monday produced at least one preliminary EF-3 tornado through the Menasha–Appleton area, causing widespread structural damage and disrupting power and public water systems.
Governor Tony Evers signed Executive Order No. 300 earlier this week to declare a state of emergency and on July 30 he toured Menasha before activating the Wisconsin National Guard to assist local recovery.
National Guard members will perform non-law-enforcement tasks requested by Winnebago County, including debris removal, traffic and safety support, wellness checks and logistical help for shelters.
Utility crews are conducting phased restorations to bring power back to thousands of customers while community shelters remain open for displaced residents and curfews and access restrictions address safety concerns and reports of looting.
Officials say damage is extensive in urban areas, with at least one school heavily hit, recovery expected to take days to weeks, and no federal assistance beyond the state activation has been reported so far.