A tornado has left a trail of destruction in parts of the US state: destroyed homes, fallen trees and more than 30,000 households without power. Emergency responders are searching the disaster area.
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Shortly before noon on Monday, the sky darkened in the northeastern part of the US state of Wisconsin. What had been a summer day just moments earlier turned into a menacing scene within minutes. Black clouds, whipping winds and flying debris drove people into basements and shelters. “It looked like it was 3:00 a.m.,” said Greg Van Driest, who works in the city of Appleton.
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The tornado struck northeastern Wisconsin with full force. Roofs were torn off, vehicles overturned and trees uprooted. The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado in Winnebago County. Appleton, Menasha and Fox Crossing were particularly hard hit. Entire blocks are covered in debris and fallen power poles.
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A snapped power pole and an overturned car illustrate the extent of the damage. Eyewitness Heather Schroeder said she heard nothing but crashing and cracking sounds. Right before her eyes, a laundromat, a bakery and a restaurant were destroyed. “There’s nothing left,” Schroeder said, stunned.
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Once the tornado has passed, the arduous task of dealing with its aftermath begins. Roads must be cleared, power lines repaired and homes secured. Authorities expect it to take several days to restore power. For many residents, the real challenge is just beginning: rebuilding their destroyed homes.
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Police, firefighters and emergency responders are struggling to make their way through blocked roads. Fallen trees, sagging power lines and debris are hampering the rescue efforts. More than 30,000 households were initially without power, and in Menasha, the entire city’s power supply was intermittently cut off. Emergency shelters were set up, and entire neighborhoods have been cordoned off.
Image: Octavio Jones/AFP
About 45 minutes before the tornado struck, meteorologists issued warnings of severe storms. Shortly before it struck, a tornado warning was issued. Governor Tony Evers pledged support. Winnebago County Executive Gordon Hintz cautioned: “When you see the damage, you realize that Mother Nature shows no mercy.” The warning systems may have prevented even worse damage.
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Authorities are searching damaged homes for possible victims. So far, there are no confirmed fatalities from the tornado. As of now, several people have been injured, and many buildings have been severely damaged or rendered uninhabitable. Numerous families have had to leave their homes and seek shelter in emergency shelters. The situation remains unclear.
Image: Scott Olson/Getty Images/AFP
While experts assess the full extent of the damage, several municipalities have declared a state of emergency. Curfews, road closures and emergency shelters remain in place. Monday’s tornado demonstrated once again how quickly extreme weather conditions can paralyze entire cities. For thousands of people, it will be a long time before life returns to normal.
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