A catastrophic flash flooding event slammed parts of Wisconsin on August 10, 2025, forcing the closure of the Wisconsin State Fair, flooding Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, and trapping residents in their homes. Described as “biblical” by locals, the torrential rainfall—exceeding 14 inches in some areas—broke daily records in Milwaukee, leaving a trail of destruction across the Badger State, per Daily Mail. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued urgent flash flood warnings for Milwaukee, West Allis, and Wauwatosa, urging residents to seek higher ground.
The Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis closed early on Saturday night, with fairgoers wading through ankle-deep water to reach exits, as captured in videos shared by TMJ4 News. The main stage performance by Lynyrd Skynyrd was canceled, and officials announced, “Please use caution and follow staff directions,” per NBC News. Floodwaters submerged vehicles at the fairgrounds, with rainfall totals reaching 10 inches in Butler and over 13 inches on Milwaukee’s W. Florist Ave, according to the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District.
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport faced severe disruptions, with nearly all runways flooded and 50 flight delays reported by Saturday, per FlightAware. An underpass tunnel was inundated, stranding travelers, while 42,000 residents lost power, per We Energies. The Menomonee River overflow trapped residents near its banks, with some basements underwater, per Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “Everything is flooded,” Milwaukee Alderman Peter Burgelis told constituents, noting rescue operations were underway.
The NWS warned of “life-threatening” conditions, with meteorologist Benjamin Sheppard predicting more heavy rain through Sunday night, per The Independent. “Turn around, don’t drown,” the NWS urged, emphasizing the danger of flooded roads. Doppler radar reported 3-4 inches of rain in Muscoda and Boscobel, with an additional 1-3 inches expected. Social media on X reflected the chaos, with one user posting, “Wisconsin looks like a disaster movie,” while another shared a video of a man stranded on his car’s hood amidst rushing waters.
As the region braces for more storms, the flooding has disrupted lives and livelihoods, with fallen trees reported in Menomonee Falls and ongoing power outages. The community remains resilient, but the scale of this “biblical” deluge has left Wisconsin reeling, with recovery efforts just beginning.
