Tornado damage in Menasha seen from, July 28, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online
(WTAQ-WLUK) — Gov. Tony Evers has formally requested a disaster declaration from President Donald Trump for the July 27 tornado that ravaged parts of the Fox Valley.
In addition to the damage in Outagamie and Winnebago counties from the EF-3 twister and the storm that spawned it, Evers’ office says there was damage in Forest and Vilas counties in northern Wisconsin as well.
The request includes individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for affected households, public assistance for emergency work and infrastructure repairs in Vilas and Winnebago counties, and help from FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to reduce the impact of future disasters for the entire state.
Preliminary damage assessments of more than 2,300 residential properties by FEMA and Wisconsin Emergency Management estimated a total of more than $8.2 million in damage. Another $13.8 million in damage was estimated to have been caused to public sector infrastructure.
“Meeting with folks who’ve been hurt and seeing the devastation and destruction throughout these Wisconsin communities show just how strong and resilient they are — Wisconsinites always show up for each other. But we know goodwill, grit, and volunteers alone can’t fix this disaster, and we’ll need emergency disaster aid from the federal government to make it happen,” Evers said in a news release.
“Wisconsin has been hit especially hard by severe weather over the last few years, and we cannot afford for the federal government not to step up to the plate and get states like ours help when we need it. Our communities need real and tangible help, and I’m grateful for WEM’s and FEMA’s work in identifying and confirming our need for federal assistance after another round of devastating storms for Wisconsin. There is still a long road to recovery to rebuild public infrastructure and help families, neighbors, and the communities recover, so I will continue to do everything I can to urge the president and the Trump Administration to do their part to ensure Wisconsin receives the support we desperately need.”
The request for federal aid comes after Evers declared a state of emergency following the storm and activated the Wisconsin National Guard to help with cleanup and relief efforts. Evers also declared a period of abnormal economic disruption, an effort to fight price gouging.
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