Latest news with #AaronLipski
New York Post
a day ago
- Climate
- New York Post
Hundreds of flights delayed and millions of Americans remain under flood alerts as torrential rain pounds Midwest
Millions of Americans faced travel disruptions and flood alerts as fierce storms slammed the Midwest Sunday night, delaying hundreds of flights. At Denver International Airport alone, 21 flights were canceled and over 900 flights were delayed due to the harsh weather conditions, according to FlightAware. Southwest Airlines logged 339 delays, United Airlines 244, and SkyWest 157. Advertisement 4 First responders rescue people from flooding in their homes on August 10, 2025 in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Getty Images The National Weather Service issued flood watches and warnings for parts of Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, and Wisconsin, warning that after rain began Saturday, 'repeated rounds of heavy rain' along with hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes could continue into Monday. The alert follows a wave of at least 24 storms that pounded the Upper Midwest on Saturday, blasting Omaha, Nebraska, with 80- to 90-mph wind gusts and soaking Milwaukee with up to a foot of rain, NBC News reported. Advertisement Milwaukee's flood watch is set to remain in effect until 7 a.m. Monday, with the weather service cautioning that excessive rainfall could still trigger flash flooding. Milwaukee was among the hardest-hit areas, with up to 14 inches of rain recorded by Sunday and river flooding in the vicinity, according to the National Weather Service. The Milwaukee Fire Department reported responding to more than 600 calls for gas leaks, flooded basements, power outages, and water rescues, while crews worked to drain surface water and the Red Cross opened two city shelters for displaced residents. 4 A rainbow is seen as lightning strikes during an early morning storm brought high winds to the area early in Omaha, Neb. on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. AP Advertisement 'We're still in the middle of it,' Fire Chief Aaron Lipski told reporters Sunday. 'We're still catching up right now.' Nearly 14,000 people remained without power across Wisconsin as of Monday morning, according to The Brewers and Mets took the field at American Family Field while the parking lot, usually buzzing with fans, stood eerily empty and closed to traffic. 4 A man watches the Menomonee River flow under a bridge on Aug. 10, 2025 in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Getty Images Advertisement 'We will not be able to guarantee parking for all fans, even those who purchased parking in advance,' the Brewers said in a statement before the game. City officials warned residents to avoid driving or walking in the standing water. 'It remains dangerous,' the City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works said in a statement. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley has declared a state of emergency throughout Milwaukee County following overwhelming rainfall and widespread flooding. '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,' Crowley posted on X. 4 Flooded roads and homes forced officials to close the Wisconsin State Fair. FOX WEATHER '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.' Wisconsin State Fair organizers canceled the final day of the event after heavy rain flooded the fairgrounds in West Allis, closing busy roadways and forcing some motorists to abandon vehicles as thousands lost power. Advertisement 'We are saddened we cannot deliver this final day of the Wisconsin State Fair, but know that this is the best decision with current conditions and the forecast ahead,' organizers said in a statement. Startling videos and images showed vehicles trapped in the floodwaters at the fair as Wisconsinites desperately tried to flee the State Fair, with their hoods and umbrellas up as they waded through four-inch-deep puddles. 'We're going to need, possibly, some federal assistance,' he said at a Sunday briefing, adding that Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers will also declare a state of emergency to secure federal aid. With Post wires
Euronews
2 days ago
- Climate
- Euronews
Extreme weather continues across US midwest with floods and hail
Heavy rains across the US Midwest on Sunday caused flash flooding in large areas that cut power to thousands of households in southeast Wisconsin, according to emergency officials. The flash flooding affected half a dozen Midwest states, including the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, forcing motorists to abandon their vehicles and necessitating multiple water rescues, authorities said. Organisers of the Wisconsin State Fair said they were scrapping the final day of the 11-day event after rains flooded the fairgrounds in West Allis, which is just outside Milwaukee. 'We are saddened we cannot deliver this final day of the Wisconsin State Fair, but know that this is the best decision with current conditions and the forecast ahead,' organizers said in a statement. The US National Weather Service issued flood watches and warnings for parts of Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Nearly 18,000 people in Wisconsin without power Following heavy rainfall, which started on Saturday in some regions, forecasters predicted 'repeated rounds of heavy rain,' along with hail, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes into Monday. According to the National Weather Service, among the worst hit was the Milwaukee area, where up to 14 inches (36 centimetres) of rain had fallen in some areas by Sunday, which also noted river flooding in Milwaukee and Waukesha counties. Some motorists left their stranded cars on the roads. Nearly 18,000 customers of We Energies in southeast Wisconsin were without power late Sunday. In the suburban village of Wauwatosa, an overflowing and fast-moving Menomonee River submerged a popular playground. Firefighters responded to over 600 calls, including for gas leaks, flooded basements, electrical outages and water rescues, according to the Milwaukee Fire Department. And while crews worked to clear surface water, the Red Cross opened two shelters in the city for displaced residents. 'We're still in the middle of it,' Fire Chief Aaron Lipski told reporters Sunday. 'We're still catching up right now.' Sprint and Paratriathlon National Championships cancelled In Milwaukee, USA Triathlon cancelled the Sprint and Paratriathlon National Championships, which were anticipated to draw thousands of competitors. Even though American Family Field's parking lot was still closed to cars, the Brewers and Mets still played there. 'We will not be able to guarantee parking for all fans, even those who purchased parking in advance,' the Brewers said in a statement before the game. City officials warned residents to avoid driving or walking in the standing waters. 'It remains dangerous,' the City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works said in a statement. Tropical Storm Henriette expected but no threat Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Henriette rapidly strengthened into a hurricane Sunday in the central Pacific Ocean with further strengthening expected, but it poses no threat to land, the National Hurricane Center said. The Miami-based centre said the storm was located about 720 kilometres north-northeast of Hilo, Hawaii, with maximum sustained winds of 130 kph It was moving northwest at 28 kph on a course that's expected to take it well north of the Hawaiian Islands over the next few days. The storm was expected to strengthen through Monday, followed by weakening on Tuesday. The centre described Henriette as a small tropical cyclone. Hurricane-force winds extended outward up to 30 kilometres from the storm's centre.
Axios
2 days ago
- Climate
- Axios
Historic flash floods hit Milwaukee as Midwest faces heavy rains threat
Record flooding rains fell in Wisconsin over the weekend, triggering dozens of water rescues, shutting down the Wisconsin State Fair and prompting Milwaukee County officials to declare a state of emergency. Threat level: The extreme weather that began on Saturday night continued to threaten parts of of Wisc. on Sunday evening, with the National Weather Service expecting"repeated rounds of heavy rain" across portions of the Midwest, central Plains, and Southeast through Monday. The storm system was capable of producing flash flooding, "some of which may be significant," across the Midwest and central Plains, according to the NWS. The big picture: Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson told reporters there had been "major property damage" in the storm, along with widespread power outages and damage to vehicles. Milwaukee Fire Department chief Aaron Lipski said at the briefing crews had "pulled dozens of people out of cars and off of cars trapped in the middle of flood water," noting "we are still in the middle" of the storm. By the numbers: Johnson said the storm caused a foot of rain to fall "in a very short period of time" in some places. Milwaukee saw 5.74 inches within hours on Saturday night, marking a new daily record and the city's second-wettest day ever recorded. "Torrential rainfall exceeding 10 inches, with an additional two inches forecasted, has overwhelmed local drainage systems," said Milwaukee County executive David Crowley in his emergency declaration Sunday. There had been 65 water rescues by lunchtime Sunday local time, per Lipski. The Milwaukee River reached a record high crest of 11.19 feet, according to data at Milwaukee-Eastbrook Park. Between the lines: Climate change is increasing the frequency and magnitude of precipitation extremes, studies show. Scenes from Wisconsin's historic flooding
India Today
2 days ago
- Climate
- India Today
Wisconsin State Fair cancelled amid severe flooding and power failures
Flash flooding forced organisers to cancel the final day of the Wisconsin State Fair on Sunday after relentless heavy rain inundated the fairgrounds in West Allis, just outside decision came as water levels rose, making the grounds unsafe for visitors and staff. Officials expressed regret but stressed that public safety had to come first."We are saddened we cannot deliver this final day of the Wisconsin State Fair, but know that this is the best decision with current conditions and the forecast ahead," organisers said in a OUTAGES FORCE EMERGENCY CLOSURE Severe storms swept across parts of the Midwest, causing widespread power outages that left nearly 18,000 households in southeast Wisconsin without also led to stranded motorists abandoning vehicles and forced the closure of major roads. The National Weather Service reported up to 14 inches of rainfall in some areas around Milwaukee, resulting in river flooding and submerged CONCERNS HALT ANNUAL CELEBRATIONFirefighters responded to over 600 emergency calls, including rescues, flooded basements, and gas leaks. Shelters were opened to assist displaced residents. Authorities warned the public to avoid travelling on flooded streets, describing conditions as dangerous and unpredictable. Other scheduled events in the region, including USA Triathlon championships, were also cancelled due to the severe weather."We're still in the middle of it," Fire Chief Aaron Lipski told reporters Sunday. "We're still catching up right now."WILL THE FAIR BE RESCHEDULED?Organisers have not announced any plans to reschedule the cancelled day of the fair. Information on ticket refunds has not been released yet.- EndsWith inputs from Assocaited Press
USA Today
2 days ago
- Climate
- USA Today
Record rainfall leads to widespread flash flooding and chaos in Milwaukee: 'All is lost'
Record rainfall fell across much of the metro Milwaukee area late Aug. 9 and early Aug. 10, leading to major flash flooding across the region. MILWAUKEE — Record rainfall fell across much of the metro Milwaukee area late Aug. 9 and early Aug. 10, leading to major flash flooding across the region, cancelling concerts, submerging cars, and shutting down the Wisconsin State Fair. The heavy rain was part of a larger system that affected much of the central United States. The National Weather Service said repeated additional rounds of heavy rain are likely to produce instances of flash flooding from the central Plains to the Midwest on Aug. 10. In hard-hit Milwaukee, no flood-related deaths were reported within the city, but residents are facing major property damage, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said around noon on Aug. 10. Officials pleaded with residents to stay out of their cars and off the roads. Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski said 65 water rescues were completed overnight. Dozens of people were rescued from in or on top of their cars, he said. 'We're all experiencing the same thing: Basement flooding' The full extent of the flood damage will be sorted out in the days to come as homeowners and apartment dwellers deal with flooded basements. Jacqueline Zeledon lives on the city's northwest side near Glendale, Wisconsin. She said three feet of floodwater poured into her basement, all after 2 a.m., and she said four neighbors reported flooding up to their thighs. "Everyone is waking up and we're all experiencing the same thing: Basement flooding," she said. "All is lost. Our furnace, water heater, deep freezer with food, CD collection, clothes, appliances; all that is downstairs is damaged." As Zeledon was talking about the damage, she looked out her street to watch debris float away. Manhole covers had popped off, and a lost dog didn't know which way to walk. Events cancelled The Wisconsin State Fair, held in West Allis, a suburb of Milwaukee, was shut down early in the evening of Aug. 9, and will not reopen for its scheduled final day on Aug. 10. Meanwhile, the USA Triathlon Sprint and Paratriathlon National Championships in Milwaukee were canceled due to flooding, reported. The Major League Baseball game between the New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers is being played as scheduled on Aug. 10, a day after rain pushed through the roof at American Family Field during the Brewers' victory over the Mets on Aug. 9. Even as rains came down on Aug. 9, people at the State Fair made the most of the situation. The Wisconsin State FFA Honors Band and Choir, featuring members ages 13 to 21, got a much bigger audience than anticipated at the Youth Exhibit Hall as hundreds sought shelter from the storm. Monte Dunnum, the band's director, said the bolstered crowd got into the performance. "I think we were able to raise their spirits in what became a torrential downpour for more than an hour and eventually led to the fair closing early,' Dunnum said. 'FFA band members had a great time and I think the audience had at least a really nice diversion during a weather delay. It was a more entertaining performance than we had even expected." Summer weather: It's 'dangerously hot' as extreme temps scorch these parts of the United States How much rain fell? According to the National Weather Service, 5.74 inches of rain fell on Aug. 9, smashing the daily rainfall record for Milwaukee, which was previously 1.64 inches of rain, said in an online report. "By early Aug. 10 morning, Milwaukee picked up additional rainfall, bringing the storm total to nearly 7 inches of rain. Radar estimates around Milwaukee show rainfall totals as high as 10-11 inches," said meteorologist Jennifer Gray. River levels falling after record-breaking highs overnight River levels in the Milwaukee area continue to fall after extreme storms sent them to record-breaking heights overnight. The Milwaukee River has fallen to 8.7 feet in downtown Milwaukee, after cresting at a record high of 11.19 feet early in the morning, said Andrew Quigley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Meteorologists continue to monitor river levels as rain showers move through the area this afternoon. 'Don't drive through floodwaters' The Milwaukee fire department is still catching up on Aug. 10 afternoon, a frustrated Lipski said as he gestured to cars driving through a flooded intersection on the city's northwest side where 14 inches of rain fell overnight. "We've been telling people over and over and over again: Don't drive through the water," Lipski told reporters. "This is how we have hundreds of vehicles around the city blocking intersections, making progress absolutely impossible. We need everybody to help us out here. We can't do everything. We can't be everywhere at once. Don't drive through the floodwaters."
