Flash Flood — Waushara, Wisconsin

2025-07-16 · near Richford, Waushara, Wisconsin

Event narrative

Rainfall of 4 to 5.5 inches in a short time caused flash flooding on highway 21 between Coloma and Wautoma as well as in the city of Wautoma. Highway 21 was closed between Coloma and Wautoma with multiple roads closed in Wautoma due to street flooding. Multiple vehicles were stalled with passengers rescued by boat. The time of this report is an estimate based on radar.

Wider weather episode

Showers and thunderstorms tracked through central and east-central Wisconsin during the afternoon and evening on Wednesday (7/16) as a mesoscale convective vortex tracked along a cold front through southern Wisconsin. This system brought a brief period of heavy rainfall with rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches and locally higher amounts exceeding 5 inches across the area. The heavy rain in a short period caused flash flooding as streets were covered in flowing water with multiple streets closed and vehicles stranded.

Some of the highest rainfall totals included 5.57 inches in Two Rivers (Manitowoc Co.), 5.52 inches in Poy Sippi (Waushara Co.), 4.95 inches in Manitowoc (Manitowoc Co.), 4.75 inches in Wautoma (Waushara Co.), and 3.95 inches in Menasha (Winnebago Co.).

View location on OpenStreetMap → (44.0463, -89.4145)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1263792. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.