Key Point Summary – Flooding Hits Midwest

• Torrential rain in Wisconsin causes flash flooding and power outages
• Milwaukee airport runways submerged, forcing closure
• Wisconsin State Fair evacuated mid-show due to rising waters
• Some areas report over 13 inches of rain in 24 hours
• NWS warns of more storms and urges “turn around, don’t drown”
• 45,000 homes and businesses left without power
• Residents trapped near Menomonee River as streets turn into rivers

Torrential storms turned parts of Wisconsin into a disaster zone on Saturday night, with sudden flash flooding slamming the state and leaving destruction in its wake. The National Weather Service confirmed rainfall totals topping 13 inches in Milwaukee’s north side, causing chaos across multiple cities.

By early Sunday morning, Mitchell International Airport was nearly underwater, with all but one runway flooded and operations grinding to a halt. Passengers were stranded as airport crews scrambled to assess the damage.

Wisconsin State Fair Turns Into Flood Escape Scene

The beloved Wisconsin State Fair became an unexpected evacuation site when a wall of rain and flash floods tore through the grounds. Officials halted a scheduled Lynyrd Skynyrd performance and ordered fairgoers to leave immediately. Videos from the scene show people wading through knee-deep water, clinging to each other as they tried to find dry ground.

Local TV station TMJ4 captured surreal scenes of vehicles submerged in water on the fairgrounds, headlights still on as water surged around them. Some visitors abandoned their cars altogether, choosing to walk out rather than risk getting swept away.

Residents Trapped, Power Knocked Out

The Menomonee River overflowed, leaving several residents trapped in their homes overnight. Emergency responders used boats to reach people unable to open their front doors against the force of the water.

Power outages rippled through the region. We Energies reported that 45,000 customers were in the dark by sunrise. Downed trees, flooded streets, and submerged utility equipment made repairs slow and dangerous.

Airport Becomes a Flood Zone

Milwaukee’s main airport wasn’t spared. Just after 3 a.m. Sunday, officials confirmed that floodwaters had overtaken all but one runway. Incoming flights were diverted, and departures were canceled as crews worked through the night in knee-deep water to pump out the airfield.

Travelers stuck inside the terminal shared photos of rain pooling against the glass walls. “It looked like the ocean was trying to get in,” one passenger said.

Record Rainfall Pounds Milwaukee

Rain gauges told the story of an unprecedented downpour. Butler reported 10 inches of rain, while a Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District monitor recorded more than 13 inches on W. Florist Avenue. Streets turned into fast-moving rivers, and some creeks swallowed entire backyards.

Basements filled quickly, with homeowners rushing to salvage valuables before the water rose too high. “We’ve never seen it like this,” one Milwaukee resident said. “The street just disappeared under a wave of brown water.”

NWS Issues Dire Warning

Benjamin Sheppard of the National Weather Service called the storms “unpredictable” in their intensity and speed. The NWS issued multiple warnings, urging drivers to avoid flooded roads at all costs.

“Turn around, don’t drown,” their statement read. “Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.” Officials stressed that another round of storms was likely to hit by Sunday night, potentially worsening conditions.

Outlook: More Rain on the Way

Forecasters say Wisconsin’s nightmare isn’t over. Additional rainfall of up to three inches could fall in already saturated areas. Communities along rivers are bracing for more flooding, and emergency shelters remain open.

While cleanup crews pump water and restore power, residents are left waiting for skies to clear. Until then, the Midwest’s latest bout of extreme weather serves as another reminder of how quickly nature can turn everyday life upside down.