More than 10 million people across the Midwest faced flood alerts Monday as relentless rain drenched Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri, triggering flash floods in Milwaukee that shut down the Wisconsin State Fair on its final day.
Milwaukee saw staggering rainfall between Saturday and Sunday — with one northwest Milwaukee gauge recording 14.5 inches in 24 hours. If confirmed by the National Weather Service, it would shatter the state’s previous record of 11.92 inches set in Mellen in 1946.
Milwaukee County declared a state of emergency after the Milwaukee River surged to a record 11.19 feet, topping the 2010 high of 10.48 feet. Roads were submerged, vehicles stranded, and dozens rescued from floodwaters.
Mayor Chevy Johnson said, “It’s something Milwaukee hasn’t seen in perhaps a decade or more,” noting his own family was affected.
The fairgrounds in West Allis flooded, forcing organizers to cancel Saturday night’s Lynyrd Skynyrd concert and Sunday’s final events. USA Triathlon also canceled national championships in Milwaukee due to course damage. Flooding reached Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, inundating runways, taxiways, and tunnels.
A flood warning remained in place for Milwaukee until at least 10 a.m. Monday as streams continued to rise. Parts of Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma were under a Level 3 of 4 flood risk, while a Level 2 risk covered much of the Midwest.
The same storm system brought winds exceeding 80 mph to Nebraska on Saturday, killing one person and seriously injuring another when a tree fell on their vehicle. Storm damage forced the relocation of hundreds of inmates from the Nebraska State Penitentiary.
On Sunday alone, Milwaukee firefighters carried out roughly 65 water rescues, aided by 12 neighboring fire departments. Crews navigated hundreds of stalled vehicles blocking intersections, making movement nearly impossible.
Among those rescued were teenage sisters Brailey and Brecken Baxter, who were trapped with their dog as floodwaters filled their home. Unable to reach them, their parents waited anxiously until crews brought the girls to safety.
Rain is expected to shift east into the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes through Monday, with lighter showers lingering in Wisconsin. Drier, cooler weather should arrive midweek before storms return late in the week.
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Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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