'One step at a time': Recovery continues in Menasha after EF-3 tornado
MENASHA, Wis. (CBS 58) — An EF-3 tornado tore through Menasha on Monday afternoon, leaving behind widespread damage.
Hundreds of trees were knocked down, dozens of power lines were damaged and dozens of homes sustained damage.
The Menasha Water Utility plant was directly in the tornado's path and suffered extensive damage.
“When the tornado came through, several parts of our plant collapsed, roofs were blown off and many windows were shattered,” Menasha Water Utility Manager Adam Smith said.
The water plant serves about 15,000 people, but thanks to an emergency connection with the city of Neenah, no customers lost water service.
“We never had any interruption of service. We never lost pressure on our distribution system,” Smith said.
Just down the street from the plant is Tony's Bar and Grill, which has been forced to close.
Owner Tom Siegel's family has owned the bar since 1921. The building itself was constructed in 1905.
“I’m just thinking of all this stuff, having the adjusters come and everything else. So tomorrow they come, and that’s gonna be a new step,” Siegel said. “One step at a time.”
Menasha police have also implemented a curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. after two people were arrested for allegedly searching through storm debris.