Heavy rains prompt flash floods, canceling last day of Wisconsin State Fair
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2 days ago
'What is happening?' Milwaukee area recovers from record rain and flooding
MADISON, Wis. -- The Milwaukee area began drying out Monday after weekend rain hit unofficial records in Wisconsin of more than 14 inches (36 centimeters) in less than 24 hours, leading multiple rivers to flood at record-high levels, washing out vehicles, flooding basements and cutting power to thousands of homes. No fatalities had been reported as of Monday morning from the storms that began Saturday night and stretched into Sunday. Road closures were more isolated Monday as flood warnings continued in Milwaukee, Waukesha and Ozaukee counties. About 2,000 homes in the area remained without power as of Monday afternoon. Residents couldn't believe what they saw as rains pounded the area Saturday night. Colby McMillan and a friend were driving home around 11 p.m. in Milwaukee when their car stalled out in what McMillian thought was just a puddle. Then the water started coming in under the door. 'As the water was coming in, it was like, 'What is happening?'' McMillan said Monday. 'It was very, very shocking to me. We had to get out of this car and out of the rain. I had never seen anything like this before.' They escaped and helped others avoid getting stuck like they did. But the car was totaled, McMillan said. The city of Milwaukee was still assessing the extent of the damage Monday as flood waters were receding, said the city's public works director, Jerrel Kruschke. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers declared a state of emergency after touring some of the damage in suburban Wauwatosa on Monday and called the flooding 'unprecedented.' Rob Sieracki lives across the street from a dog park that he said was completely underwater. One car was submerged, something Sieracki didn't realize until he saw a photo the next day. About two feet (60 centimeters) of water came up the front of his house, built in 1890, resulting in several inches of flooding in his basement. He also lost power for 15 hours. 'Because we're on a hill, we turned out to be relatively OK," Sieracki said. "Some water did come in, it's stinky water, we think it's sewage, but we'll be OK.' The flash flooding led to the cancellation of the final day of the Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis outside of Milwaukee on Sunday, as well as USA Triathlon's Sprint and Paratriathlon National Championships in Milwaukee. Thousands of athletes from around the country were expected to participate in that event. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said he's hearing stories of residents across the city, including his own uncle, who had water all the way up to the top of their basement. 'I certainly hope that a storm like this does not visit on the city for at least another millennium,' Johnson said. The National Weather Service predicted more rain for the area Monday night, but nothing like the prolonged deluge Saturday into Sunday that caused the flash flooding. 'There could be some areas that get some heavy downpours," said Sarah Marquardt, a National Weather Service meteorologist at the Milwaukee/Sullivan office. That could prolong areas with standing water but not result in additional flooding, she said. The National Weather Service said four rivers in the Milwaukee area hit record-high levels over the weekend. The official two-day rain total at the Milwaukee airport of 6.91 inches (about 17.6 centimeters) was the second-highest on record, Marquardt said. The record was 7.18 inches set in June 2008. The single-day total at the airport on Saturday of 5.74 inches (about 14.6 centimeters) was second only to the record of 6.81 inches set in 1986, Marquardt said. Unofficial two-day rain totals in the 10- to 12-inch range, with one reading exceeding more than 14 inches (about 35.6 centimeters) in northwestern Milwaukee County, would set record highs for the state once verified over the coming weeks, Marquardt said. The current state record is 11.72 inches (about 29.8 centimeters) set in 1946. The Kinnickinnic, Milwaukee, Menominee and Root rivers all hit record highs over the weekend, with the Milwaukee River going more than 4-feet over flood level, Marquardt said. A teenager clinging to a tree branch and standing on a submerged log was rescued by firefighters in an inflatable boat on Sunday afternoon after getting swept away as the Root River flooded a road in Franklin, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) southwest of Milwaukee. He was rescued unharmed about 100 yards (91 meters) downstream from where he entered, the Franklin Fire Department said.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Newsweek
Nearly 200,000 Warned to Avoid Travel as Emergency Declared
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Nearly 200,000 people on Monday remained under flood warnings in the aftermath of torrential rainfall that dropped more than a foot on Milwaukee and its environs, prompting officials to issue a state of emergency over the weekend and caution motorists against traveling. Why It Matters The heavy rains in Wisconsin come as meteorologists have warned that climate change has contributed to the prevalence of 100-year and 1,000-year floods across the U.S. in recent years. As the atmosphere warms, it gains the ability to hold more moisture, which in turn can fuel heavy rains when storms roll into the area. The floods in Wisconsin caused officials to cancel the last day of the Wisconsin State Fair. On Sunday, Milwaukee County declared a state of emergency and cautioned residents against driving or walking through flooded areas. What To Know As of Monday afternoon, numerous rivers were still flooding, according to warnings issued across the Badger State by National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists. Debris piles up at the base of a bridge along the Milwaukee River after torrential rains on August 10 in Milwaukee. Debris piles up at the base of a bridge along the Milwaukee River after torrential rains on August 10 in Milwaukee. Andy Manis/Getty These include the following rivers: Root River at Franklin, affecting Milwaukee County. Fox River Lower at Waukesha, affecting Waukesha County. Milwaukee River near Cedarburg, affecting Ozaukee County. Cedar Creek at Cedarburg, affecting Ozaukee County. Menomonee River at Menomonee Falls, affecting Waukesha County. None of the rivers had reached major flood levels, though the Fox River Lower at Waukesha was experiencing moderate flooding. The others saw minor issues. Flooding is the second deadliest weather hazard in the U.S. behind extreme heat. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles, prompting NWS officials to urge people against driving through flooded roadways. "Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles," NWS Milwaukee said in one flood warning. "Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks. Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas." Most of the rain has stopped, but NWS meteorologist JJ Wood told Newsweek there is a 40 percent to 50 percent chance for showers and storms overnight Monday, and a 30 percent to 40 percent chance of additional rain Tuesday afternoon. "Any storms that do move through the area, we are expecting them to move through at a fairly decent rate," he said. "We are not expecting big, flash flooding impacts like we've seen over the weekend." What People Are Saying Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, in a news release: "Flooding is still an active emergency situation across Milwaukee County, and we are expecting more rain today and into this evening. Our top priority is the life and safety of Milwaukee County residents. I strongly urge our residents to stay cautious, stay informed, and refrain from traveling. Check in on your neighbors and loved ones, especially older adults, and seek out emergency assistance if needed. I am thankful to our first responders, law enforcement partners, social services workers, and neighbors who are lending a helping hand during a challenging time. We will get through this together, Milwaukee." NWS Milwaukee, in a flood warning: "Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding." What's Next Some of the flood warnings are set to expire by early Wednesday afternoon, whereas others will remain in place until further notice, as it can take time for flooded river levels to recede. Wood said it will be dry for the next several days after Tuesday, which carries the chance of rain.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Wisconsin Soaked With 14 Inches of Rain in 24 Hours
Severe summer weather wreaked havoc across the United States over the weekend, with parts of the Midwest getting hammered by torrential rain and some parts of the west coast of Florida seeing up to eight inches of rain. The Wisconsin State Fair was shut down due to flooded parking lots after other parts of the state were soaked with a record 14 inches in 24 hours. NBC's Maggie Vespa reports and TODAY's Dylan Dreyer tracks the latest forecast. Solve the daily Crossword
