Wisconsin State Fair Cancelled Amid Historic Flash Flooding and Severe Storms
Hey, I wanted to fill you in on what’s been happening recently in southeast Wisconsin, especially around Milwaukee. Over the weekend, some intense storms rolled through the area, causing major flash flooding and widespread damage. It’s been pretty overwhelming for the community and local officials alike.
So, late Saturday night and into early Sunday morning, southeast Wisconsin was hit by what the National Weather Service called “life-threatening flash flooding.” Some areas, like parts of Milwaukee and Waukesha, saw rain totals anywhere from 7 to over 10 inches — that’s a crazy amount of water in such a short time. Other places nearby received between 1 to 6 inches of rain. The sheer volume of rain was enough to overwhelm streets, rivers, and drainage systems.
This sudden downpour led to some serious consequences. Roads were flooded, making travel dangerous or impossible in some spots. Emergency services were swamped — the Milwaukee Fire Department alone responded to over 600 calls during the night for everything from water rescues to electrical problems and gas leaks. People were even stuck in cars or had to wade through waist-deep water to get to safety.
One of the biggest impacts was on the Wisconsin State Fair. The fairgrounds had to close early Saturday night because of the flash flooding. Water was reported flowing through tunnels under the racetrack, and parking lots were submerged. Visitors had to leave quickly, some walking barefoot through flooded areas just to get to their cars. Because of the damage and unsafe conditions, officials announced the fair would remain closed on Sunday — which was the final day of the event. They also canceled a big concert that was scheduled for Sunday night and promised refunds for anyone who had bought tickets.
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Besides the fairgrounds, other local landmarks were affected too. American Family Field, where the Milwaukee Brewers play, experienced roof leaks during a game Saturday night, but fortunately, no flooding inside the stadium was reported. The biggest concern there was flooding on the nearby highway, which could affect fans trying to get to games. The airport saw flooded runways and taxiways as well, causing travel disruptions.
The flooding wasn’t just from rainwater running off surfaces — Milwaukee’s sewer system was overwhelmed too. Because the city uses a combined sewer system, stormwater and sewage share pipes. When there’s too much rain, untreated water has to be released into local rivers and Lake Michigan to prevent backups into homes. So residents were urged to conserve water by taking shorter showers and postponing laundry and dishwashing.
Officials are continuing to monitor the situation closely as more heavy rain is expected through Sunday, with flood watches still in effect. The National Weather Service warned that even a small amount of additional rain could cause more flash flooding. They strongly advised people not to drive through flooded roads and to heed all barricades for their own safety.
Governor Tony Evers and state emergency teams have been keeping a close eye on the flooding and are ready to assist local responders if needed.
Overall, it’s been a challenging and dangerous situation for Wisconsin residents. The flooding has disrupted lives, events, and travel, and the priority now is keeping everyone safe while the water levels gradually recede. If you’re in the area or planning to visit, definitely stay updated and be cautious on the roads.
Have you heard about this flooding before or seen any of the videos? It’s wild how quickly things can change when storms hit like this.
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