MILWAUKEE — Record rainfall fell across much of the metro Milwaukee area late Aug. 9 and early Aug. 10, leading to major flash flooding across the region, cancelling concerts, submerging cars, and shutting down the Wisconsin State Fair.
The heavy rain was part of a larger system that affected much of the central United States. The National Weather Service said repeated additional rounds of heavy rain are likely to produce instances of flash flooding from the central Plains to the Midwest on Aug. 10.
In hard-hit Milwaukee, no flood-related deaths were reported within the city, but residents are facing major property damage, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said around noon on Aug. 10. Officials pleaded with residents to stay out of their cars and off the roads.
Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski said 65 water rescues were completed overnight. Dozens of people were rescued from in or on top of their cars, he said.
The full extent of the flood damage will be sorted out in the days to come as homeowners and apartment dwellers deal with flooded basements.
