Heavy downpours hit Milwaukee, causing widespread flooding, impacting the state fair and the airport, as predicted rainfall continues on Sunday.
Flash Floods Cause Chaos in Milwaukee and Surrounding Areas
Southeastern Wisconsin experienced severe flash floods this weekend, causing significant disruptions to transportation, public events, and local infrastructure. The floods were the worst since 2008, with historic rainfall of up to 14.5 inches in some areas from August 9 to 10, 2025.
Transportation Disruptions
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport was severely affected by the flooding, with runways and taxiways inundated, causing operational issues. Numerous roads and highways were flooded or closed across Milwaukee County and surrounding areas, leaving many still closed as of August 11 due to safety concerns. Emergency responders conducted numerous water rescues from vehicles stranded in floodwaters, with over 500 calls to dispatch centers about flooded basements, storm drains, and traffic incidents.
Cancellation of Public Events
The Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis was forced to shut down early, cancelling the planned Lynyrd Skynyrd concert and other events due to unsafe conditions and ongoing flooding. Other major events such as the USA Triathlon Sprint and Paratriathlon National Championships were also cancelled. Despite the flooding, the Milwaukee Brewers' baseball game proceeded, although parking lots were inaccessible.
Damage to Local Infrastructure
The Milwaukee River and several other rivers were near record crest levels, prompting flood warnings and emergency declarations. Floodwaters overwhelmed storm drain systems and sewer infrastructure, with water pressure strong enough to lift manhole covers, increasing hazards to residents and responders. Homes and vehicles were destroyed or severely damaged in neighborhoods, some submerged by floodwaters turning streets into lakes.
Ongoing Recovery Efforts
As of August 11, 2025, recovery and cleanup efforts are ongoing in the affected areas. Milwaukee is currently under a level 2 of 4 risk for excessive rainfall on Sunday. Flash flooding was reported in multiple areas in Wisconsin, including basements, creeks, and streets. In Nebraska, strong winds had gusts higher than 80 mph, and the severe weather in Wisconsin is part of the same storm system that brought strong winds to Nebraska.
[1] Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
[2] CNN
[3] WDJT
[4] NBC 15
The weather-forecasting agencies had predicted heavy rainfall for the region in the days leading up to the flood, but the true extent of the disaster was still underestimated. With more accurate weather-forecasting, emergency responders might have had more time to prepare and mitigate the flood's impact. The floodwaters caused extensive damage to local infrastructure, including storm drain systems and sewer infrastructure, which could have been prevented or reduced with better weather-forecasting and proactive maintenance.
