Heavy rain causes water rescues in Milwaukee, cancellation of Wisconsin State Fair's final day
Historic Flooding Hits Midwest: Milwaukee Faces Unprecedented Challenges
In an unprecedented weather event, parts of Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, and Wisconsin have been hit by flood watches and warnings. The city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has been particularly hard-hit, experiencing a historic rainfall event on August 9–10, 2025, which has been characterized as a "1,000-year storm."
The storm brought up to 12 inches of rain to parts of the metro area, including a record-breaking 5.74 inches in a single day at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. This rainfall exceeded the city's average August rainfall and shattered previous daily records.
The torrential downpour led to severe flooding that overwhelmed sewer and drainage systems, causing streets, basements, parks, and entire neighborhoods to flood. The Milwaukee River crested at a record 11.19 feet, surpassing the previous 2010 flood record.
The impact was significant. Tens of thousands lost power, uprooted trees, stranded vehicles, natural gas leaks, and multiple structure fires were reported. Emergency crews responded to over 600 calls, including 65 water rescues, highlighting the severity of the event.
The combination sewer system’s Deep Tunnel filled beyond capacity, resulting in an overflow discharging directly into local rivers and Lake Michigan for the first time in 2025.
In response to the crisis, fire and emergency teams conducted numerous water rescues amid hazardous conditions. The city opened normally closed drop-off centers and announced special bulky item pickups to aid recovery. Authorities advised residents to avoid driving through flooded roads, follow official closures, and stay alert for updates.
City officials and the mayor recognize this storm as an extreme, rare event but underline Milwaukee’s vulnerability to increasingly severe weather. The volume of rain—especially rates like three inches in one hour—exceeded the engineering capacity of local infrastructure. The event calls for a reevaluation of stormwater and sewer systems to better prepare for future extreme rainfalls.
Verification of new state rainfall records, such as the reported 14.5 inches in the northwest of Milwaukee, is pending, indicating potential climate shifts with more frequent or intense precipitation events.
The Wisconsin State Fair has been canceled due to flooding, and the storms damaged two housing units at the Nebraska State Penitentiary, displacing 387 prisoners. All staff and incarcerated individuals were safe and accounted for.
As of now, the flood warning for the area has not been lifted, indicating that the threat is not over. Neighbors in Milwaukee County are trying to salvage what's left of their belongings after the flooding. Forecasters predict "repeated rounds of heavy rain," along with hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes on Sunday.
Thousands of Milwaukee County residents are dealing with the aftermath of the flooding, including damage to their homes and cars, and basements that are still under water. USA Triathlon canceled its Sprint and Paratriathlon National Championships in Milwaukee. Nearly 47,000 customers of We Energies lost power in southeast Wisconsin.
Bill Suechting, a resident of Wauwatosa, had to sleep in his basement next to the sump pump during the flood to ensure it was working. A person died in eastern Nebraska after a tree fell on a woman's car due to strong winds on Saturday.
City crews in Milwaukee worked overnight to clear surface water, and efforts to keep streets passable and restore utilities have been ongoing, with city leaders emphasizing community safety and cleanup.
Despite the challenges, the community spirit remains strong. Residents are rallying together, helping each other in these difficult times, showing that even in the face of extreme weather, the resilience of Milwaukee shines through.
- In the aftermath of the historic storm that hit Milwaukee, general news outlets are covering the impact on weather conditions in the Midwest.
- As Milwaukee struggles to recover from the unprecedented flooding, meteorologists predict more severe weather, including heavy rain, hail, and potential tornadoes, posing further challenges.
