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HomeNewsWisconsin State Fair hit by ‘life-threatening’ flash floods forcing ‘stranded’ fairgoers to...

Wisconsin State Fair hit by ‘life-threatening’ flash floods forcing ‘stranded’ fairgoers to wade through water to escape

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THE Wisconsin State Fair was hit by flash floods causing fairgoers to wade through water to escape.

Officials brought festivities to an early end on Saturday night after the region was lashed by up to nine inches of rain in a matter of hours, causing rivers to burst their banks.

People wading through floodwaters at the Wisconsin State Fair.

Attendees at the Wisconsin State Fair were forced to wade through flood waters after the even was canceledCredit: x/ZT_Followers
Cars driving through flooded street at night.

Other residents reported seeing cars floating down the streetsCredit: x/ZT_Followers
Flooded river in Wisconsin.

Much of the state was lashed by several inches of rain in just a matter of hoursCredit: Troy Vosseller via Storyful

The National Weather Service had issued numerous threat-to-life flood warnings for a number of areas in the southeast of the state, including Milwaukee where the fair is held.

Footage coming from the fair shows attendees forced to wade through the flood waters, which was almost waist-high in places, in order to escape.

Meanwhile, many returned to their vehicles to find flood waters submerging the doors.

Other locals reported seeing cars “floating around town” while thousands were left without power.

“We were there. Totally soaked and grossed out by the stand water we had to wade through to get out,” one fairgoer said on Facebook.

“Wisconsin is flooding ..people are stuck at state fair and cars are floating all around town,” another said.

“We understand the disappointment you may feel, as our team works all year for these 11 days,” Fair officials said as they canceled the celebrations.

“However, the safety of our fairgoers, team, partners and vendors will always be our top priority.”

The fair closure also canceled the highly anticipated concert of Lynyrd Skynyrd which was the music headline that evening.

Flooded area with construction equipment.

Several flood alerts warning of a risk to life had been issued over the weekendCredit: Troy Vosseller via Storyful
Flooded walkway in Wisconsin.

More rain is expected to fall throughout SundayCredit: Troy Vosseller via Storyful
Wisconsin State Fair Park entrance sign.

The Wisconsin State Fair said the safety of it’s staff and attendees was of the utmost importance (stock)Credit: Getty
Debris piled up against a riverbank after a flood.

Debris piles up on a bridge piling on the Milwaukee River after heavy rain on SaturdayCredit: Getty
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