Winnebago County residents impacted by the July 27, 2026, tornado and severe storms can now apply for federal disaster assistance following a federal disaster declaration announced October 7.
The July 27 storm produced an EF-3 tornado that caused significant damage in Winnebago County, particularly in the City of Menasha and surrounding communities. Homes, businesses and public infrastructure sustained damage, displacing residents and prompting an extensive emergency response and ongoing recovery efforts.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved Winnebago County for both Individual Assistance and Public Assistance, providing additional resources to support residents and the community’s continued recovery.
Individual Assistance Available to Residents:
FEMA Individual Assistance is available to eligible residents in Winnebago, Outagamie, Forest and Vilas counties who experienced damage or losses from the July 27 storms.
Assistance may include:
- Grants for temporary housing and home repairs.
- Low-interest disaster loans to cover uninsured property losses.
- Other programs to help individuals and families recover from disaster-related losses.
Residents are encouraged to apply for assistance as soon as possible. Those who sustained damage or losses should first file claims with their insurance providers and then apply for FEMA assistance.
How to Apply:
Residents can apply through any of the following options:
- Online: Visit DisasterAssistance.gov. This is the fastest way to apply.
- By phone: Call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 for assistance with the application process.
- FEMA App: Apply using the FEMA App.
Residents can review the information needed to apply using FEMA’s Disaster Assistance Application Checklist.
Those who use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS) or captioned telephone service, should provide FEMA with the number for that service when applying.
Residents who previously received assistance through local recovery organizations or participated in earlier disaster recovery efforts are also encouraged to apply. Eligibility for FEMA assistance is determined through the federal application process.
Residents who experienced damage or losses from the July 27 storms should apply now at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362.