Milwaukee area drying out after weekend rain causes record flooding on multiple rivers
Share and Follow


MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee area began drying out Monday after weekend rain hit unofficial state records of more than 14 inches (36 centimeters) in less than 24 hours, leading multiple rivers to flood at record-high levels, washing out vehicles, flooding basements and cutting power to thousands of homes.

No fatalities had been reported as of Monday morning from the storms that began Saturday night and stretched into Sunday. Road closures were more isolated Monday as flood warnings continued in Milwaukee, Waukesha and Ozaukee counties. About 3,000 homes in the area remained without power as of Monday morning.

Tom Groppi told WISN-TV that the basement of his Milwaukee home never flooded in more than 50 years, but he had 3 feet (about 91 centimeters) of water in it this weekend.

“What are you going to do?” he said with a laugh. “I’ve been lucky.”

The National Weather Service predicted more rain for the area Monday night, but nothing like the prolonged deluge Saturday into Sunday that caused the flash flooding.

“We are not expecting the level that we saw over the weekend, but there could be some areas that get some heavy downpours,” said Sarah Marquardt, a National Weather Service meteorologist at the Milwaukee/Sullivan office. That could prolong areas with standing water but not result in additional flooding, she said.

The National Weather Service said four rivers in the Milwaukee area hit record-high levels over the weekend. The official two-day rain total at the Milwaukee airport of 6.91 inches (about 17.6 centimeters) was the second-highest on record, Marquardt said. The record was 7.18 inches set in June 2008. The single-day total at the airport on Saturday of 5.74 inches (about 14.6 centimeters) was second only to the record of 6.81 inches set in 1986, Marquardt said.

Unofficial two-day rain totals in the 10- to 12-inch range, with one reading exceeding more than 14 inches (about 35.6 centimeters) in northwestern Milwaukee County, would set record highs for the state once verified over the coming weeks, Marquardt said. The current state record is 11.72 inches (about 29.8 centimeters) set in 1946.

The Kinnickinnic, Milwaukee, Menominee and Root rivers all hit record highs over the weekend, with the Milwaukee River going more than 4-feet over flood level, Marquardt said.

A teenager clinging to a tree branch and standing on a submerged log was rescued by firefighters on Sunday afternoon after getting swept away in quickly moving water on a road flooded by the Root River in Franklin, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) southwest of Milwaukee. He was rescued by firefighters on an inflatable boat about 100 yards (91 meters) downstream from where he entered, the Franklin Fire Department said. He was unharmed.

The flash flooding led to the cancellation of the final day of the Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis outside of Milwaukee on Sunday, as well as USA Triathlon’s Sprint and Paratriathlon National Championships in Milwaukee. Thousands of athletes from around the country were expected to participate in that event.

Firefighters responded to over 600 calls including for gas leaks, flooded basements, electrical outages and water rescues, according to the Milwaukee Fire Department.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Trump announces framework for Greenland deal, cancels future tariffs (Video)

Trump Unveils Greenland Deal Framework and Scraps Future Tariffs: Watch the Announcement

In an unexpected move, former President Donald Trump has unveiled a preliminary…
Rob Steele listens a prosecutor describes his fiancee Mary Marshalls

North Carolina Teen Admits Guilt in Tragic Shooting, 5 Lives Lost

An 18-year-old has admitted guilt to murder and other charges in connection…
Daughter of LA mayoral candidate challenging Karen Bass suddenly dies

Tragedy Strikes as LA Mayoral Candidate’s Daughter Passes Away Unexpectedly

The tragic news of Austin Beutner’s daughter’s passing has sent ripples through…
Trump rules out taking Greenland by force sparking stock market rally

Trump’s Greenland Decision Spurs Stock Market Surge: A Peaceful Resolution

President Donald Trump has officially renounced any intentions to seize Greenland through…
Every Greenlander 'could be offered $1M if they vote to join the USA'

Greenland Residents May Be Offered $1 Million Each in Exchange for U.S. Integration Vote

Donald Trump is reportedly contemplating a bold strategy to potentially sway Greenlanders…
Gruesome secret trove of Idaho murder pictures leak

Leaked Images Reveal Disturbing Details of Idaho Murder Case

The chilling traces of a brutal crime scene are etched into the…
Teen mass killer pleads guilty to NC rampage that left five dead, including brother, police officer

Teenager admits guilt in North Carolina mass shooting that resulted in the deaths of five, including his brother and a police officer.

In a somber courtroom session on Wednesday, an 18-year-old from Raleigh, North…
DHS alleges criminal illegal alien 'rammed law enforcement' in California operation, agent fired weapon

California Law Enforcement Confrontation: DHS Accuses Illegal Alien of Ramming Officers, Agent Discharges Weapon

A federal agent discharged his weapon in Southern California on Wednesday after…