The Ripon Rabbit
A friend of the Ripon Rabbit Hole community, Deb, reached out through X with an urgent request:
“It would be appreciated if you’d cover this tragedy. This tornado was absolutely devastating 😢”
Along with her message, Deb shared a post showing the destruction left behind by the powerful tornado that struck Menasha and neighboring Fox Valley communities on July 27.
View and share Deb’s original X post:
https://x.com/i/status/2082659235502973294
Deb’s request is more than a plea for media attention. It is an SOS for families whose homes, businesses and neighborhoods were changed in minutes and a reminder that every damaged property must be officially reported.
A Devastating Tornado Strikes the Fox Valley
The National Weather Service says the tornado developed approximately two miles west-northwest of Appleton before tracking south through Fox Crossing and Menasha. It received a preliminary EF-3 rating, with estimated winds reaching 140 miles per hour.
The tornado damaged homes, businesses and trees before moving over Lake Winnebago at approximately 12:22 p.m. (weather.gov)
For those who survived it, the storm did not end when the winds stopped.
Families are now confronting damaged homes, ruined belongings, interrupted businesses, insurance claims, temporary housing needs and an uncertain recovery process.
Report Every Damaged Property
State and local officials need a complete accounting of the destruction before determining what additional assistance may be available.
Affected residents should report their damage even when:
- They have already contacted their insurance company.
- Emergency personnel visited the neighborhood.
- They rent rather than own the property.
- The damage appears minor.
- Cleanup has already begun.
- They believe someone else reported it.
Report storm damage by calling 211
Winnebago County Emergency Management
920-236-7463
An insurance claim does not necessarily place a property into the government’s disaster assessment. Residents should contact both their insurance provider and local officials.
Every report helps establish the true scope of the disaster.
A damaged roof counts. A destroyed garage counts. Lost vehicles, damaged rental homes, ruined business equipment, fallen trees and emergency expenses all count.
Unreported losses may leave officials with an incomplete picture when decisions are made about state resources, federal involvement and disaster assistance.
Document Everything
Before removing debris or making permanent repairs, photograph and record the damage whenever it is safe.
Residents should:
- Take wide photographs of the entire property.
- Photograph individual rooms and damaged belongings.
- Record roof, window, siding and structural damage.
- Document vehicles, garages, sheds and business property.
- Make a written inventory of damaged or missing possessions.
- Save insurance correspondence and repair estimates.
- Keep receipts for lodging, food, generators, supplies and emergency repairs.
Stay away from fallen electrical lines, damaged gas lines, unstable walls, standing water near electrical equipment and trees that may still fall.
Call 911 for immediate threats to life, fire, serious injuries, gas leaks or other urgent dangers.
Where to Find Help
211 Wisconsin
Call 211 for connections to local shelter, food, cleanup, housing, transportation and recovery resources.
Residents who have lost power, medication, refrigeration, medical equipment or safe housing should make contact as soon as possible.
American Red Cross
For disaster assistance, shelter information and recovery support:
1-800-RED-CROSS
1-800-733-2767
Local Emergency Information
Residents should follow official announcements from:
- Winnebago County Emergency Management
- Outagamie County Emergency Management
- The City of Menasha
- The City of Appleton
- The Village of Fox Crossing
- Wisconsin Emergency Management
- The National Weather Service in Green Bay
Shelter locations, road closures, debris instructions and volunteer needs may change quickly. Verify information before sharing it.
Check on Your Neighbors
Not everyone affected will see an online announcement.
Some residents may be elderly, disabled, without electricity, without reliable phone service or unsure how to report their losses.
Help neighbors photograph their damage. Help them call 211. Check whether they need food, transportation, charging equipment, temporary shelter or assistance contacting family members.
Landlords should check on tenants. Employers should check on workers. Community organizations and churches should identify residents who may otherwise be overlooked.
How the Public Can Help
People outside the immediate damage area can still make a meaningful difference.
Share Deb’s post and verified recovery information. Support recognized local relief organizations. Volunteer through coordinated community efforts. Offer meals, tools, equipment or skilled labor through established groups.
Avoid entering damaged neighborhoods merely to observe or photograph the destruction. Unnecessary traffic can interfere with residents, first responders, utility workers and cleanup crews.
Before donating, confirm that a fundraiser belongs to an affected family or reputable organization. Disasters frequently attract fraudulent contractors and fundraising campaigns.
Ripon Rabbit Hole Community Steps Up
The response is already reaching beyond words. Our own Flippin Ripon Rob rolled up his sleeves today and joined the local relief effort, helping deliver fresh drinking water to people affected by the tornado. His actions reflect exactly what this moment demands; not simply watching the devastation from a distance, but stepping forward to meet immediate needs. Clean water, food, supplies and helping hands can make an enormous difference while families assess their losses and begin rebuilding. We thank Rob and every volunteer, first responder, business and community member who is showing the Fox Valley that it is not facing this recovery alone.
Answering Deb’s SOS
Deb asked the Ripon Rabbit Hole to cover this tragedy so the people affected would not be forgotten. Rob has already sprung into action. We are reporting it. We all owe a huge top hats off to the both of them, along with the many others, unnamed willfully helping out. Thank all of you!
We are answering that request—and asking our readers to answer it too.
Watch and share Deb’s post.
Report every damaged property.
Call 211 or Winnebago County Emergency Management at 920-236-7463.
Document every loss.
Check on your neighbors.
Support verified local relief efforts.
The tornado passed in minutes, but recovery will take months or longer. Menasha, Fox Crossing, Appleton and the surrounding communities need more than passing attention. They need accurate damage reporting, dependable resources and people willing to stand beside them.
One community. One heart. One recovery. That just makes common sense. Wouldn’t you agree??
