Severe Midwest Flooding Cancels Wisconsin State Fair’s Final Day, Causes Widespread Power Outages

Published Time: 08-10-2025, 14:30

Heavy flooding across multiple Midwest states has forced the cancellation of the final day of the Wisconsin State Fair, left thousands without power, and caused widespread travel disruptions. Severe storms brought intense rainfall, prompting flash flood warnings and forcing emergency crews into nonstop response efforts.

The National Weather Service (NWS) reported that the storms, which began Saturday, are expected to continue into Monday, bringing repeated waves of heavy rain, hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes to affected areas.

Wisconsin State Fair Forced to Close Early

Organizers of the Wisconsin State Fair announced Sunday that they would cancel the last day of the 11-day event due to severe flooding at the fairgrounds in West Allis, just outside 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,” event organizers said in a statement.

Flooding made several sections of the grounds inaccessible, and safety concerns for visitors and staff prompted the early closure.

Flooding and Storm Damage Across the Region

The NWS has issued flood watches and warnings for large portions of Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, and Wisconsin. In the Milwaukee area, some neighborhoods saw as much as 14 inches (36 centimeters) of rain by Sunday, leading to river flooding in Milwaukee and Waukesha counties.

Motorists abandoned stranded vehicles on flooded roadways, and power outages impacted nearly 18,000 customers of We Energies in southeast Wisconsin late Sunday. In Wauwatosa, the fast-moving Menomonee River overflowed, submerging a popular playground under several feet of water.

“This is a really bad overlap of circumstances in terms of how all this rain fell over such a populated area,” said Andrew Quigley, a meteorologist with the NWS.

Emergency Response and Shelters Opened

The Milwaukee Fire Department reported answering over 600 calls since the storms began. Calls ranged from gas leaks and flooded basements to electrical hazards and water rescues.

Fire Chief Aaron Lipski said crews were still working to keep up with the volume of incidents:

“We’re still in the middle of it. We’re still catching up right now.”

The Red Cross opened two emergency shelters in Milwaukee to assist displaced residents. Public works crews were also deployed to clear blocked drains and pump water from flooded streets.

City officials urged residents to stay off the roads and avoid standing water, warning that conditions remained hazardous. “It remains dangerous,” the City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works stated.

Sports and Events Disrupted

The storms also impacted major sporting events. USA Triathlon canceled its Sprint and Paratriathlon National Championships scheduled for Milwaukee, which had been expected to draw thousands of athletes and spectators.

At American Family Field, the Milwaukee Brewers hosted the New York Mets as scheduled, but flooding in the parking lot made vehicle access impossible. “We will not be able to guarantee parking for all fans, even those who purchased parking in advance,” the Brewers organization warned in a statement.

Severe Weather Impacts Beyond Wisconsin

The severe storms extended well beyond Wisconsin. In eastern Nebraska, high winds caused the death of a woman after a tree fell onto her car. In Lincoln, the Nebraska State Penitentiary sustained damage to two housing units, forcing the relocation of 387 inmates. According to the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, all staff and incarcerated individuals were safe and accounted for.

The NWS warned that additional rounds of heavy rain are possible across the central Midwest through Monday, increasing the risk of further flooding and storm damage.

Safety Warnings and Precautions

Authorities across the affected states are urging residents to:

• Avoid driving or walking in floodwaters.
• Monitor local weather alerts and emergency instructions.
• Prepare for potential power outages and road closures.

Meteorologists caution that even shallow floodwaters can be dangerous, carrying debris and hiding hazards such as sinkholes or downed power lines.

As cleanup and recovery begin in some areas, others remain under active threat from the ongoing storms, making it a challenging and potentially dangerous start to the week for communities across the Midwest.