Flooding cancels final day of Wisconsin State Truthful as extreme storms knock out energy and shut roads

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MILWAUKEE (AP) — Flash flooding canceled the ultimate day of the Wisconsin State Truthful on Sunday as continued heavy rainfall in half a dozen Midwest states compelled motorists to desert their automobiles, lower energy to 1000’s of households and closed busy roadways.

Organizers of the Wisconsin State Truthful mentioned they have been scrapping the ultimate day of the 11-day occasion after rains flooded the fairgrounds in West Allis, which is simply outdoors Milwaukee.

“We are saddened we cannot deliver this final day of the Wisconsin State Fair, but know that this is the best decision with current conditions and the forecast ahead,” organizers mentioned in an announcement.

The Nationwide Climate Service issued flood watches and warnings for elements of Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin. After rainfall started on Saturday in some areas forecasters predicted “repeated rounds of heavy rain,” together with hail, damaging winds and remoted tornadoes into Monday.

Among the many worst hit was the Milwaukee space, the place as many as 12 inches (30 centimeters) of rain had fallen in some areas by Sunday, in accordance with the Nationwide Climate Service, which additionally famous river flooding in Milwaukee and Waukesha counties. Some motorists left their stranded automobiles on roads. Practically 47,000 clients of We Energies misplaced energy in southeast Wisconsin. Within the suburban village of Wauwatosa, an overflowing and fast-moving Menomonee River submerged a well-liked playground.

“Really unfortunately, it’s just a really bad overlap of circumstances in terms of how all this rain fell but then fell over such a populated area,” mentioned Andrew Quigley, a Nationwide Climate Service meteorologist.

Firefighters responded to over 600 calls together with for gasoline leaks, flooded basements, electrical outages and water rescues, in accordance with the Milwaukee Fireplace Division. In the meantime, metropolis crews labored in a single day to clear floor water.

“We’re still in the middle of it,” Fireplace Chief Aaron Lipski instructed reporters Sunday. “We’re still catching up right now.”

USA Triathlon canceled its Dash and Paratriathlon Nationwide Championships in Milwaukee, the place 1000’s of athletes have been anticipated to take part. In the meantime, the Sunday afternoon Brewers versus Mets recreation at American Household Discipline was anticipated to proceed as scheduled even because the car parking zone remained inaccessible to visitors.

“We will not be able to guarantee parking for all fans, even those who purchased parking in advance,” the Brewers mentioned in an announcement.

Metropolis officers warned residents to keep away from driving or strolling within the standing waters.

“It remains dangerous,” the Metropolis of Milwaukee Division of Public Works mentioned in an announcement.

On Saturday, robust winds led to the loss of life of 1 particular person in japanese Nebraska after a tree fell on a lady’s automobile. Within the state capital of Lincoln, the storms broken two housing models on the Nebraska State Penitentiary, displacing 387 prisoners, the state Division of Correctional Companies mentioned. The company mentioned all employees and incarcerated people have been secure and accounted for.

Initially Revealed: August 10, 2025 at 8:24 AM PDT