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 2,000 homes in the area remained without power as of Monday afternoon.

Rob Sieracki lives across the street from a dog park in Milwaukee that he said was completely under water. One car was submerged in it, something Sieracki said he didn’t realize until he saw a photo the next day.

About two feet (61 centimeters) of water came up the front of his house, built in 1890, resulting in several inches of flooding in his basement. He also lost power for 15 hours.

“Because we’re on a hill, we turned out to be relatively OK,” Sieracki said. “Some water did come in, it’s stinky water, we think it’s sewage, but we’ll be OK.”

The city of Milwaukee was still assessing the extent of the damage Monday as flood waters were receding, said the city’s public works director, Jerrel Kruschke.

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said he’s hearing stories of residents across the city, including his own uncle, who had water all the way up to the top of their basement.

“I certainly hope that a storm like this does not visit on the city for at least another millennium,” Johnson said.

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
Air Force One returning to Joint Base Andrews in Washington area due to minor electrical issue, White House says

Air Force One Makes Unexpected Return to Joint Base Andrews: White House Addresses Minor Electrical Glitch

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s aircraft, Air Force One, is making its…
Donald Trump blasts Starmer for 'great stupidity' over Chagos islands

Trump Slams Starmer: Calls Decision on Chagos Islands ‘Great Stupidity

In a striking statement today, Donald Trump criticized Sir Keir Starmer for…
Minnesota police chiefs allege some ICE agents racially profiled US citizens, including off-duty officers

Minnesota Police Chiefs Expose Racial Profiling by ICE: US Citizens & Off-Duty Officers Targeted

On Tuesday, a coalition of Minnesota law enforcement leaders voiced concerns that…
Suspected gunman uttered 4 words before shooting Indiana judge and wife: dispatch audio

Chilling Words Precede Shooting of Indiana Judge and Spouse: Dispatch Audio Reveals

The recent shooting incident in Lafayette, Indiana, that left a judge and…
Families sue TikTok over deaths of their children after apparent 'choking challenge'

Heartbreaking Lawsuits Filed Against TikTok: Families Demand Justice After Tragic ‘Choking Challenge’ Deaths

In Wilmington, Delaware, six families have taken legal action against TikTok, alleging…
SARAH VINE: Brooklyn's accusations about Victoria are so hurtful

Brooklyn Beckham Speaks Out: The Surprising Claims About Mom Victoria

To a casual observer, it might seem that the Beckham children live…
FILE - Health department staff members enter the Andrews County Health Department measles clinic carrying doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Andrews, Texas. (AP Photo/Annie Rice, File)

U.S. Faces Potential Loss of Measles Elimination Status: Understanding the Implications

A year has passed since a measles outbreak erupted in West Texas,…
New evidence rewrites how Egypt's Great Pyramid was built

Groundbreaking Discovery Unveils New Insights into Construction of Egypt’s Great Pyramid

For centuries, the method by which Egypt’s Great Pyramid was constructed has…