Violent tornado tears up northeast Wisconsin towns

A powerful tornado ripped through northeastern Wisconsin on Monday afternoon, leaving a trail of destruction in small towns throughout the Fox Valley region. Preliminary assessments indicated the tornado had wind speeds up to 165 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service. The weather service also received reports of 2- to 4-inch hailstones, it said.

Severe damage occurred in many areas of Menasha, a town about 40 miles south of Green Bay, according to the Menasha Police Department. Downed trees, power lines, and debris blocked roadways around the city, police said. An aerial drone video from a local Fox affiliate showed many homes greatly damaged and some completely splintered. The nearby cities of Appleton and Neenah also reported significant damage, and the storm knocked out power for thousands in the area.

Were any lives lost? No deaths or serious injuries had been reported by Monday evening, but first responders were still searching, Winnebago County official Gordon Hintz told the Associated Press.