Record-Breaking Wisconsin Flash Flooding Slams Milwaukee, Cancels State Fair

More than 10 million people across the Midwest are under flood alerts as heavy rains continue to pummel the region. The severe storm system has triggered catastrophic Wisconsin flash flooding, forcing the cancellation of the final day of the beloved Wisconsin State Fair and prompting a state of emergency in Milwaukee County.

Milwaukee Declares Emergency After Record Rainfall

The city of Milwaukee bore the brunt of the storm, with a staggering amount of rain falling between Saturday and Sunday. According to the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, a rain gauge in northwest Milwaukee recorded a phenomenal 14.5 inches of rain in just 24 hours. If confirmed, this would smash the previous state record of 11.92 inches set in 1946, highlighting the extreme nature of the event.

The torrential downpour caused the Milwaukee River to crest at a record 11.19 feet, surpassing the previous high from 2010. Milwaukee Mayor Chevy Johnson described the event as something the city had not seen in a decade or more. The flash floods quickly overwhelmed city streets, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded and requiring the Milwaukee Fire Department to perform dozens of water rescues.

Beloved Events Halted and Infrastructure Damaged

The widespread flooding had an immediate and visible impact on the community. Organizers of the Wisconsin State Fair, located just outside Milwaukee in West Allis, were forced to cancel the event’s final day on Sunday after floodwaters swamped the fairgrounds. The fair had already shut down early on Saturday, canceling a scheduled performance by famed rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd.

The flooding also impacted other major events, with USA Triathlon canceling its national championships in Milwaukee. Furthermore, critical infrastructure was hit hard, as the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport experienced flooding on its runways and in an underpass tunnel, causing significant travel disruptions.

Widespread Midwest Impact and Evolving Forecast

While the heaviest rain hit Wisconsin, the same storm system is affecting millions across the Midwest. Flood warnings remain in effect for parts of southern Kansas, western Missouri, and northern Oklahoma. The system also brought damaging winds with gusts over 80 mph to Nebraska, where a toppled tree tragically killed one person and injured another.

Heavy rain is expected to shift east into the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes through Monday. While rainfall totals in Wisconsin will be lower, additional moisture could still trigger more flooding. Weather forecasters predict much of the Midwest will see drier conditions by midweek, offering a brief reprieve before another round of storms develops late in the week.