Intense weather conditions lead to power outages and road closures in the Midwest, while heavy flooding forces the cancellation of the final day of the Wisconsin State Fair.
Historic Flooding Hits Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, Causing Millions in Damage
In August 2025, the Midwest was hit by severe storms that left a trail of destruction, including the suburban town of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Resident Loren Kaiser, who has lived in his home for 20 years, was one of those affected.
Kaiser and his family tried to escape the floodwaters by car, but their journey was cut short when their vehicle was hit by a falling tree in Two Rivers State Park, Nebraska. Another person suffered serious injuries in the same incident.
Back in Wauwatosa, the floodwaters rushed into Kaiser's garage, causing damage to its contents. The exact extent of the damage to Kaiser's home, as well as other homes in the town, is not specified in the text. However, NBC News reported that Kaiser provided footage of the flood damage at his home.
The storms resulted in various incidents of damage and casualties, with at least one death occurring in Two Rivers State Park, Nebraska. The Wisconsin State Fair was also cancelled due to flooding caused by the storms.
The flooding was worsened by saturated ground and high river levels, leading residents to brace for more rain and potential additional flooding. Power outages during the storm prevented sump pumps from working, exacerbating water damage in homes.
The storms affected over 500 homes and 50 businesses in Wauwatosa, causing about $9 million in damage to city-owned public property. Emergency crews responded to more than 350 calls and rescued around 70 people and many pets from rising waters. Cleanup has been extensive, with approximately 250 tons of flood debris collected.
Residents are advised to place damaged items at designated collection points by August 24, as the special debris service will end then. Local assistance programs are available for flood-related repairs and small business improvements, with eligibility requirements and application contacts provided by the city.
A state of emergency was declared for Milwaukee County beginning August 10, 2025, reflecting the severity of the situation and response efforts by local officials and emergency services to manage calls and public safety. Recovery remains ongoing with partial reopenings planned for some city facilities.
This summary integrates detailed data points from multiple reputable news sources reporting on the incident and recovery progress through mid-August 2025.
- During the severe storms that hit the Midwest in August 2025, an accident occurred in Two Rivers State Park, Nebraska, where a falling tree hit a vehicle carrying Kaiser's family, resulting in serious injuries to another person.
- Alongside the historic flooding that hit Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, various weather-related accidents, including the one in Two Rivers State Park, contributed to millions in damage and casualties across the affected regions.
