A tornado tore through parts of Menasha and Appleton, Wisconsin, on Monday afternoon, damaging homes, uprooting trees and leaving thousands without power. Local authorities say they are responding to numerous storm-related calls and have urged residents to stay indoors as they assess the damage.
The National Weather Service described the tornado as “extremely dangerous,” and issued a particularly dangerous situation tornado warning — the second-highest level warning — shortly after 12 p.m. CT.
After hitting Menasha, the tornado moved over Lake Winnebago and dissipated over water. It was observed for at least 20 minutes from near Appleton to the northern coast of the lake.
Video from Menasha obtained by CNN shows homes missing parts of roofs, structures stripped of their exteriors amid piles of debris, downed power poles and uprooted trees. In one video, a vehicle is seen flipped over next to a road.
“We are aware of severe damage in broad areas. We are asking the public to stay indoors, watch out for downed power lines, do not drive around road closures, and do not drive around the area unless absolutely necessary,” the Menasha Police Department posted on Facebook Monday afternoon.
