FEMA goes door-to-door to verify Fox Valley tornado damage

FEMA conducts assessments in the Palisades Drive neighborhood of Appleton in the wake of an EF-3 tornado, August 12, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online

(WTAQ-WLUK) — Federal teams have arrived in the Fox Valley as a first step to help residents affected by an EF-3 tornado last month.

FEMA is in the area Wednesday to assess the damaged caused by the July 27 tornado.

Local, county, state, and federal teams will be going door-to-door in the hardest hit areas, verifying and validating damages from the tornado. This is in addition to the initial local and state damage assessments that have already been conducted in the area.

Earlier this week, Gov. Tony Evers officially requested support from FEMA.

Once these assessments are completed, Evers has the opportunity to request a major disaster declaration. This is separate from the state of emergency he declared days after the tornado struck.