Outagamie County Emergency Management

10/16/2026

𝐅𝐄𝐌𝐀 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲
𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐚

𝑨𝒅𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝒉𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝑶𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝟐𝟔–𝟑𝟏 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝑱𝒖𝒍𝒚 𝟐𝟕 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒔

MENASHA, Wis. – Winnebago and Outagamie County Emergency Management announce that a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) opens Monday, October 19, at 9 a.m. in Menasha to assist residents and businesses impacted by the July 27 tornado and severe storms. An additional center will open in Grand Chute for one week beginning October 26.

The centers are opening following the October 7 federal major disaster declaration, which made federal assistance available to individuals and communities affected by the storms. Winnebago and Outagamie counties were among those approved for federal Individual Assistance.

Located at UW-Fox at1655 University Drive in Menasha, the center will have representatives from the FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) available to answer questions, assist with applications and help residents navigate federal recovery programs.

"We are pleased to have FEMA and SBA resources available locally for residents and businesses impacted by the July 27 tornado," said Winnebago County Emergency Management Director Eric Rassmussen. "Our community has made significant progress in recovery, thanks to the work of local organizations, volunteers and neighbors helping neighbors. These additional federal resources provide another opportunity for those still facing challenges to get the assistance they need."

“Residents impacted by the July 27 tornado are strongly encouraged to apply for FEMA assistance,” said Paula Van De Leygraaf, Outagamie County Emergency Management director. “These funds may help eligible households address disaster-related costs and support the recovery and rebuilding process. Applying is an important first step toward accessing the resources available to help our community move forward.”

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬
𝐅𝐨𝐱 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 – 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐚
1655 University Drive
Menasha, WI 54952
Opens October 19 at 9 a.m. and will remain open at least 30 days and until further notice.

𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫
2250 Grand Chute Boulevard
Grand Chute, WI 54913
Open October 26–31, 2026.
Both locations will operate during the following hours:
𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲: Closed

𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐄𝐌𝐀 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
Residents are encouraged to apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, the easiest and most efficient way to begin the FEMA application process.

Those who prefer in-person assistance can visit a Disaster Recovery Center to ask questions, get help with applications, check their application status or learn about the appeals process. Residents can also contact FEMA at 1-800-621-3362.

Individuals who have already received assistance from local organizations or other recovery resources are still encouraged to apply. Receiving local assistance does not automatically disqualify survivors from FEMA assistance.

FEMA Individual Assistance may help eligible homeowners and renters with temporary housing, essential home repairs and other uninsured or underinsured disaster-related expenses.

𝐒𝐁𝐀 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐀𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞
SBA representatives will also be available at the centers to explain federal disaster loan programs and assist applicants.
Businesses of all sizes, homeowners, renters and eligible private nonprofit organizations may qualify for low-interest disaster loans to help cover disaster-related losses and recovery expenses.

𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬
The deadline to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance is December 7, 2026.

Residents who need transportation assistance to visit a Disaster Recovery Center can contact Make the Ride Happen at 1-866-907-1493 or visit maketheridehappen.org.

Winnebago and Outagamie counties encourages residents to continue following official updates from FEMA, Wisconsin Emergency Management, Winnebago and Outagamie counties, and local municipalities for information about available recovery resources.

For more information or to apply for assistance, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, call 1-800-621-3362 or visit fema.gov/drc. See less

10/15/2026

Emergency food boxes are available through Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin's smart locker location at FVTC for a limited time. ⬇

10/14/2026

U.S. Small Business Administration announced the availability of low interest disaster loans for businesses, private nonprofits, and residents affected by the July tornado.

For more info and to apply online: sba.gov/disaster

City of Appleton Government Grand Chute Town Hall

10/12/2026

This past weekend at the 2026 ARES Conference and State Convention, Kyle Van Hoogan, Outagamie/Calumet ARES EC, was awarded EC of the Year and Steve Fenske, Wisconsin Emergency Management's East Central Regional Director was awarded the Don Michalski Leadership Award! 🥳 Congrats to both! We are lucky to have you in our area.

Outagamie County ARES Wisconsin Emergency Management

10/12/2026

Money is available for basic home repairs, rental of temporary housing and other uninsured expenses resulting from the July 27th tornado. File your insurance claim first, then apply to FEMA at www.DisasterAssistance.gov

City of Appleton Government Grand Chute Town Hall

10/10/2026

Applying for federal assistance from the July 27th tornado? Make sure you have the below documents to get started ⬇

Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov

City of Appleton Government Grand Chute Town Hall

10/09/2026

📣Outagamie County has been approved for federal individual assistance following the July 27th tornado. Those who sustained damage or losses should first file claims with their insurance providers and then apply for FEMA assistance. The easiest and fastest way to apply is online at: www.DisasterAssistance.gov

City of Appleton Government Grand Chute Town Hall

10/07/2026

Outagamie County Emergency Management continues to work with our partners and neighbors during the recovery process and will share official updates as we receive them. However, we are still waiting additional information from Wisconsin Emergency Management and FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency regarding assistance and next steps.

The City of Menasha is aware of President Donald Trump’s announcement today approving $17.9 million in federal disaster assistance related to the severe storms and tornadoes that impacted Wisconsin in July.

While today’s announcement is an encouraging development in the recovery process, the City is still waiting for additional information from Wisconsin Emergency Management and the FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency regarding the assistance, including what programs may be included, eligibility requirements, and how funding may be distributed.

“We are encouraged to see the federal disaster assistance process moving forward, and we appreciate the continued attention being given to the communities impacted by the July storms,” said Menasha Mayor Austin Hammond. “We also know our residents are going to have a lot of questions about what this announcement means for them. We will continue working with our state and federal partners and share those details of the recently announced federal disaster assistance as soon as they are confirmed.”

The City of Menasha continues to work with Wisconsin Emergency Management, FEMA, Winnebago County Emergency Management, and regional partners as the community moves from immediate response into long-term recovery.

Additional information will be shared with residents as it becomes available and is confirmed by state and federal officials.

09/30/2026

Today is the last day of ! If you're looking for more info on how to be prepared here are some great resources ⬇
OCEM website: https://www.outagamie.gov/County-Services/Emergency-Management
FEMA's preparedness website: https://www.ready.gov/

09/29/2026