2026 Tornado Response

Volunteer Fox Cities is operating under limited hours until hurther notice.

As Volunteer Fox Cities staff are transitioning from emergency response to long-term recovery needs and regular office operations, our responses may continue to be delayed.

How You Can Help Right Now

Tornado Recovery Response Update | Updated August 6, 2026 at 5:30 PM

The response to the recent devastating tornado has been extraordinary. This past week we saw over 6,000 people turn out to volunteer through the Volunteer Reception Center alone! We live in the most generous, caring community where people are ready to help.

Recovery work continues and continues to evolve as needs change.

Right now, emergency management, municipalities, and community partners are coordinating response to the most urgent recovery needs. As a result, we are not currently coordinating larger-scale community or corporate volunteer groups. Both the Volunteer Reception Center and Donation Center are closed. However, recovery efforts are far from over. Nonprofits continue to identify tornado-related volunteer needs, and those opportunities will be shared through Get Connected. (Several opportunities are available now!)

If future community-wide volunteer opportunities arise, they will be shared through our website and social media channels. Please check back for updates and new opportunities.

Support for impacted residents is continuing through the Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC). This next phase is more individualized to help connect residents with resources like financial assistance, housing, food, mental health support, and other essential needs.

If you would like to support recovery efforts financially, donations can be made to the Community Response Fund.

For those interested in donating food, supplies, or other goods, please visit the Winnebago County Emergency Management page for the most current information on donation needs and collection efforts.

Thank you for continuing to care for your community. Your support is helping our neighbors navigate every step of relief and recovery!

Moments That Mattered: Tornado Volunteer Response Stories

When the July 27 tornado left neighbors in need, volunteers showed up. In the week that followed, Volunteer Fox Cities worked alongside incredible partners to establish a Volunteer Reception Center — a place of compassion and action.

In just one week, more than 6,000 volunteers came through the center. They cleared debris, distributed donations, stepped into leadership roles, and formed connections with people they had never met. Hundreds of families came to pick up items they needed at the Donation Center, and over 1,000 pallets of donated items were distributed into the community. Through heartbreak and uncertainty, this effort reminded us what it means to be a community.

As recovery continues, we want to preserve and celebrate these stories of kindness, resilience, and generosity.

Did you volunteer, donate items, lead a team, or witness an act of compassion during the response effort? We’d love to hear your story. Share your experience via the below QR code below or this link: www.volunteerfoxcities.org/tornado.vol.stories

Your story can help inspire hope, honor those who stepped up, and remind us all of the strength we found in one another.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered and donated! Individuals, companies, and relief organizations alike! Special thanks go to the dedicated partners who made this effort possible: Wisconsin Emergency Management, United Way Fox Cities, Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region.

Four Ways You Can Help Right Now

Our region experienced tornado damage on July 27, and our hearts are with everyone whose lives have been impacted. We know how difficult it is to see neighbors hurting and want to jump in immediately. That instinct to help is what makes this community so special.

Right now, the most helpful thing we can do is respond with care, patience, and intention.

(1) Stay out of affected areas

Please help keep emergency response efforts moving safely and efficiently.
- Follow the guidance of first responders.
- Do not enter damaged areas unless you have been specifically asked to respond.
- Stay away from downed power lines.
- Never drive around barricades.
Entering unsafe areas can create additional risks and slow the work of emergency personnel who are responding to urgent needs.

(2) Be patient and think & act local

Emergency management teams are focused on life safety and immediate priorities. Please wait to volunteer until specific requests for assistance have been identified.
In the meantime, make a difference close to home by checking in on neighbors, especially older adults, people with disabilities, and others who may need extra support.
Volunteer Fox Cities and our established emergency volunteer response partners will share updates as volunteer opportunities become available.

(3) Share trusted information and watch for scams

Unfortunately, disasters can attract fraudulent activity.
- Donate only to local organizations you know and trust.
- Be cautious of fake fundraisers and unlicensed or fraudulent contractors.
- Avoid sharing rumors or unverified information on social media.
Sharing accurate information helps protect our community and ensures resources reach those who need them most.

(4) Our Community will get through this together

Our community is strong because people show up for one another in many different ways. Every act of kindness, support, and patience helps move recovery forward.
Take time to check in on family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Traumatic events can have lasting impacts on mental health. If you or someone you know needs support, visit myconnectionnew.org.
If your property has been damaged, call 211 to report the damage.

As we learn more about specific volunteer needs, we’ll continue to share updates through our Get Connected volunteer platform, social media, and email.

In the meantime, we encourage you to create an account on our Get Connected platform so you’re ready to volunteer when opportunities become available.

Together, we’ll help our community recover—one neighbor at a time.

Do You Need Help?

If you have been impacted by the storm and need recovery assistance, contact 211 Wisconsin, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Dial 211 to report your recovery needs. This free and confidential service will connect you with local programs and services that may be able to help.

You can also visit: https://211wisconsin.communityos.org

Report Property Damage

If your property has been damaged, please report it by:

Calling 211, or
Completing the online damage report form:
https://211wisconsin.communityos.org/damage-report

Submitting a damage report helps local emergency managers and community organizations understand where the greatest needs exist and coordinate recovery efforts more effectively.