Latest news with #SarahMarquardt
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
How rare was this weekend's rain? It was a 1,000-year flood event.
If you're wondering just how rare this past weekend's deluge was − it was extremely rare. In fact, it's classified as a thousand-year event. The National Weather Service told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel the Aug. 9-10 storm ranks second for a two-day rain event, according to information dating back to 1871. And the Milwaukee area has only seen that much rain one other time before, in 2008, NWS said. So what exactly is a 1,000-year event? Here's what to know. What is a 1000-year flood? When flooding is referred to a 200-, 500- or 1,000-year event, it doesn't actually refer to time. Instead, it refers to probability. In turn, a 1,000-year flood event doesn't mean that it happens once every 1,000 years. What that means is a flood has a 1 in 1,000 chance of occurring in any given year. Technically, multiple big storms like this could happen within the same week, although statistically it would be very unlikely. How much rain is a 1,000-year flood in Milwaukee County? The amount of rainfall that will incite a 1,000-year flood event depends on the specific location and the duration of time that the rain is falling. Ironically, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District is in the process of modeling and developing maps to see what it would look like if a bigger storm, like a 1,000-year flood event, hit Milwaukee County. On average across Milwaukee County, 9.18 inches of rainfall over 24 hours would be considered a 1,000-year event, according to the NOAA that the sewerage district used to model these events. However, this is not a hard and fast number. For instance, according to meteorologist Sarah Marquardt, the magic number to classify as a 1,000-year flood event at Mitchell Airport is 8.98 inches of rain in 24 hours. Marquardt said that many areas throughout the city crossed the threshold to make this past weekend's storm considered a 1,000-year event. Did climate change cause this flood? It's difficult to attribute individual events to climate change. However, since 1950, Wisconsin has become on average 17% wetter − or roughly 5 inches, according to the latest Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts report. The southern two-thirds of Wisconsin has experienced the biggest increase in rainfall. Climate change is fueling more extreme rainstorms, as warmer air can hold more moisture that eventually comes down as rain. As extreme rainfall intensifies, experts warn that current flood control systems are already strained and won't be able to protect communities in the future. The American Society of Civil Engineers' annual report card gave failing marks to the nation's dams, levees and stormwater systems this year, with none scoring above a D. Billions of dollars in repairs are needed to upgrade these systems to stand up to the added stress of climate change, many of which received funding through the Inflation Reduction Act. However, this year, the Trump administration pulled funding from these projects as it rolled back the climate goals of the previous administration. According to a recent analysis by the Center for Public Integrity, extreme weather events will cost Wisconsin up to $16 billion over the next 15 years. Rain totals in some Milwaukee County spots top 10 inches How did Milwaukee get this much rain? High humidity, strong winds and thunderstorms — all in the same place. Caitlin Looby covers the Great Lakes and the environment for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Reach her at clooby@ and follow her on X @caitlooby. Caitlin's work is supported by the Brico Fund, Fund for Lake Michigan, Barbara K. Frank, and individual contributions. Grants and donations help make this reporting possible. The Journal Sentinel maintains full editorial control. To learn more about our community-funded journalism initiatives, or to make a tax-deductible donation, visit Checks can be addressed to Local Media Foundation with 'JS Environment' in the memo, then mailed to: Local Media Foundation, P.O. Box 85015, Chicago, IL 60689. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee rain levels caused a 1,000-year flood event
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Climate
- Winnipeg Free Press
Milwaukee area drying out after weekend rain causes record flooding on multiple rivers
MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee area began drying out Monday after weekend rain hit unofficial state records 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 3,000 homes in the area remained without power as of Monday morning. 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. 'We are not expecting the level that we saw over the weekend, but 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 on Sunday afternoon after getting swept away in quickly moving water on a road flooded by the Root River in Franklin, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) southwest of Milwaukee. He was rescued by firefighters on an inflatable boat about 100 yards (91 meters) downstream from where he entered, the Franklin Fire Department said. He was unharmed. 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. Firefighters responded to over 600 calls including for gas leaks, flooded basements, electrical outages and water rescues, according to the Milwaukee Fire Department.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
How did Milwaukee get this much rain? High humidity, strong winds and thunderstorms — all in the same place.
It was the perfect mixture for chaos. High humidity in the air? Check. Strong winds carrying moisture? Yep. Stationary thunderstorms interacting with each other? You bet. That myriad of factors that brought upwards of a foot of rain in places, left abandoned cars on streets, flooded basements, and broke river cresting records and more came together overnight Aug. 9 in the Milwaukee area at the same time, in the same place. 'Everything came together in one place to create the heavy rain that fell in that focused area,' Milwaukee-Sullivan National Weather Service meteorologist Sarah Marquardt said. Shifting winds led to an increase in moisture in the atmosphere, which combined with earlier thunderstorms and triggered an additional round of storms — all on top of each other. 'Anywhere that had multiple rounds or more of ongoing thunderstorms just got really dumped on with more and more rain,' Marquardt said. It meant the NWS's prediction of two inches in Milwaukee was not only surpassed, but demolished. Instead, the NWS thought the heavy stuff would fall in west and central southern Wisconsin, with a projected 3-5 inches of rain west of Madison. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Here's what led to Milwaukee getting upwards of one foot of rain Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
How to navigate icy roads in Milwaukee Thursday morning
Freezing drizzle through the early morning is resulting in very slippery road conditions Thursday in the Milwaukee area, according to the National Weather Service. By around 6:30 a.m. Thursday, "the freezing rain has ended, but any untreated surfaces may still be slick," said Milwaukee-Sullivan National Weather Service meteorologist Sarah Marquardt. "There was quite a bit of a glaze of ice across southern Wisconsin overnight. ... Surfaces that have been treated should be less impacted." Authorities are reporting that multiple roadways in Milwaukee are partially covered or completely covered as of 7:30 a.m., according to the Department of Transportation. From Oak Creek to Port Washington, road conditions appear to be slick, especially on roads that remain untreated. For the most up-to-date road conditions, visit Roadways remain partially covered or completely covered in the following areas as of 8 a.m. according to WisDOT: Oak Creek: Highway 38, Airport Spur to Racine County line Hales Corners: Highway 100, Layton Avenue to Drexel Avenue Franklin: Highway 100, Church Street to 76th Street Brown Deer: Highway 100, 124th Street to Port Washington Road Temperatures are expected to rise to the upper 30s by Thursday afternoon in Milwaukee. Once temps hit above freezing around 11 a.m. or noon, the ice should melt and no longer pose a threat on treated or untreated roads, Marquardt said. Here are some guidelines for driving on icy roads, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation: Keep safe distances between snow plows and large trucks. Snow plows often leave a cloud of snow in their trail, so stay at least 200 feet behind any working plow to make sure your visibility isn't obscured. Also keep a safe distance behind trucks on the highway, since pieces of snow or ice can fly off the top of commercial vehicles driving fast. Clear snow and ice from your vehicle's windows, roof, hood and front and rear lights. You can do this by warming up the car and then using a snow brush and ice scraper to clear the snow and ice. Drive slowly, allowing extra travel time and leaving extra distance between vehicles. Most winter crashes and slide-offs are caused by drivers going too fast for the existing conditions, according to WisDOT. Turn on your low-beam headlights. State law requires drivers to turn on their vehicle's low-beam headlights any time weather or other conditions make it difficult to see objects 500 feet ahead, WisDOT says. Use brakes early and carefully. With anti-lock-brakes, use firm, steady pressure and gently steer. Never use cruise control in winter weather. Watch out for bride decks and overpasses. These areas can be especially slippery when the roads ice over. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: How are Milwaukee road conditions Thursday morning?
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
As freezing rain ends, roads will be slick and high winds arrive
Roads could remain slick through mid-morning Thursday following Wednesday evening's freezing drizzle, and much of Wisconsin is under a Wind Advisory through Thursday evening. By around 6:30 a.m. Thursday, "the freezing rain has ended, but any untreated surfaces may still be slick," said Milwaukee-Sullivan National Weather Service meteorologist Sarah Marquardt. "There was quite a bit of a glaze of ice across southern Wisconsin overnight. ... Surfaces that have been treated should be less impacted." Much of southern and central Wisconsin, including Milwaukee County, was under a Winter Weather Advisory into early Thursday morning due to slick road conditions. Temperatures are expected to rise to the upper 30s by Thursday afternoon in Milwaukee. Once temps hit above freezing around 11 a.m. or noon, the ice should melt and no longer pose a threat on treated or untreated roads, Marquardt said. In addition to icy roads, all of central and much of southern and northern Wisconsin are under a Wind Advisory on Thursday. The Milwaukee-Sullivan NWS office has issued a Wind Advisory for Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Green Lake, Ozaukee, and Washington counties. Winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts between 45 and 50 mph are expected in these areas. The advisory is in effect from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday. "Be cautious of high-profile, taller vehicles that might get blown a little bit," Marquardt said. "Secure any outdoor objects, and be aware of tree limbs and power lines that could come down. Stay away from any downed power lines." Currently, NWS has not issued a Wind Advisory for Milwaukee County but says winds will increase to 20 to 30 mph by the afternoon with gusts as high as 40 mph. As for the reason behind the high winds, "we have high pressure moving in from the Plains and low pressure over Canada," Marquardt said. "So, between those two systems, we have these really strong winds." This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Icy roads and high winds in the forecast for Milwaukee on Thursday
