CITY OF TWO RIVERS STORM RESPONSE UPDATE
Severe Wind & Rain Event – May 17, 2026
The City of Two Rivers experienced a significant severe weather event during the evening of May 17, bringing damaging winds and intense rainfall that caused widespread impacts across the community.
Hundreds of trees were damaged or downed throughout the City, creating hazardous conditions in neighborhoods, parks, cemeteries, and along public roadways. At the peak of the storm, more than 3,500 electric utility accounts were without power, impacting nearly half of the community.
The storm caused severe damage across several City parks and cemetery properties, with extensive tree loss, debris fields, and structural impacts. Multiple streets became impassable as downed trees and power lines blocked roadways and created dangerous conditions for both residents and emergency crews.
***IMMEDIATE CITY RESPONSE***
The City immediately activated a full emergency operational response following the storm. Response efforts included:
*Full deployment of both Two Rivers Electric Utility crews, totaling 8 utility personnel.
*Activation of 14 additional Public Works, Parks & Recreation, forestry, and maintenance employees.
*Emergency roadway clearance operations.
*Electrical restoration efforts across impacted neighborhoods.
*Hazard mitigation around downed power lines and damaged trees.
*Coordination with regional mutual aid partners.
*Initial estimates indicate the City has already sustained at least $80,000 in damage to public structures, facilities, and equipment, with assessments continuing.
***REGIONAL MUTUAL AID SUPPORT***
Due to the scale of the event, mutual aid assistance was immediately requested through regional utility partnerships, along with full deployment of the Two Rivers Electric Utility with eight individuals.
Utility crews from the following communities responded to assist restoration operations in Two Rivers:
*Kaukauna
*Menasha
*Waupun
*New Holstein
*Hartford
*Shawano
These crews worked alongside local utility staff to restore service as quickly and safely as possible. Visiting crews are currently being housed locally at the Lighthouse Inn while restoration operations continue.
***PARK AND CEMETARY SAFETY CLOSURES***
Residents are asked to use extreme caution around City parks and cemetery properties due to widespread storm damage and hazardous conditions.
Please note the following temporary safety advisories and closures:
*Residents are asked to avoid driving or walking through City cemeteries at this time. Numerous trees are down and several large branches remain hanging overhead, creating dangerous conditions.
*Vietnam Veterans Park sustained significant damage to both the Red and White softball fields. An entire dugout was destroyed and metal backstops were heavily bent during the storm. Residents are asked to avoid these areas until cleanup and safety assessments can be completed.
*Lakeshore Park sustained damage to its playground area, including a large tree that fell directly onto play equipment. The playground is temporarily closed until the area can be safely cleared and inspected.
*Numerous additional trees and hanging limbs remain throughout the park system. Residents are asked to stay clear of downed trees and to not allow children to climb or play on damaged or hanging branches, as conditions remain unstable and potentially dangerous.
***STORM DEBRIS CLEANUP OPERATIONS***
The City is also beginning a lengthy community-wide storm debris cleanup effort.
Under normal circumstances, the City only removes tree debris from City-owned terrace trees located within the public right-of-way. If a privately owned tree falls into the street, City crews typically clear the roadway for safety purposes, but the property owner remains responsible for the remaining cleanup.
Due to the widespread devastation caused by this storm, the City of Two Rivers will instead attempt to provide an unusually accommodating cleanup response by collecting storm-related tree debris from residents throughout the community.
Residents should have all debris roadside by Tuesday morning; city crews will collect it for the rest of the week. Please sperate into TWO piles:
1) Smaller Debris Pile: Nothing larger than 5 feet in length and 6-inches in diameter.
2) Larger Debris Pile: Anything larger.
This is a major operational undertaking and residents are asked to remain patient as crews work through neighborhoods.
Because this response requires a substantial reallocation of Public Works staffing and equipment during one of the busiest construction and maintenance periods of the year, residents should also expect delays to other seasonal Public Works activities, including scheduled concrete and roadway repair projects.
The City appreciates the community’s patience and understanding as crews focus on storm recovery and public safety operations.
***TEMPORARY PERMIT FEE RELIEF FOR STORM DAMAGE REPAIRS ***
To assist residents recovering from the storm event, the City of Two Rivers is waiving building permit fees for qualifying storm-related repairs through the end of June. This temporary fee waiver applies to building and fence repairs directly related to storm damage caused by the severe wind and rain event.
***COMMUNITY RESILIENCE IN ACTION***
This storm serves as a reminder of the importance of public infrastructure, emergency preparedness, and regional cooperation. City staff from multiple departments worked through the night and continue to respond around the clock to restore services, clear debris, and stabilize impacted areas.
Additional cleanup, tree removal, and infrastructure restoration efforts are expected to continue over the coming days. Further updates will continue to be provided through official City communication channels.
