Flash Flood — Milwaukee, Wisconsin

2025-08-09 to 2025-08-10 · near Carrollville, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Event narrative

Widespread and numerous reports of flash flooding in streets, in addition to rivers, creeks, and streams across the southern two thirds of Milwaukee County. 1800 homes were classified as major damage or destroyed due to flash flooding of the Lincoln and Honey Creeks. Many instances of flooded basements across the impacted area. Six foundations collapsed into basements of homes in the 60th street neighborhood near Lincoln Creek, with two homes being condemned. Additional basement collapse reported in West Allis near Honey Creek. Many vehicles stranded in flood waters, with multiple water rescues conducted by the Milwaukee Fire Department. Water reached the bottom of car doors at Wisconsin State Fair Park. Reports of water inside vehicles along Delaware Avenue in Bay View. Multiple runway and taxiway closures reported at Mitchell International Airport and Timmerman Field from flooding. Impacts contribute to an estimated $65,813,855 in public and individual infrastructure damages countywide. Brief (30-45 minute total duration) rises into moderate flood stage along the Kinnickinnic River at Milwaukee and Oak Creek in South Milwaukee between 12:30 & 2:30 AM local time on August 10. At 10 feet, water impacts the yards of homes along Oak Creek in South Milwaukee. At 16 feet, flood water is approximately 1 foot over the top of the concrete-lined channel of the Kinnickinnic River at Milwaukee, affecting homes in the residential neighborhood next to the river. Homeless camp swept away as a result of rapid rises along the Kinnickinnic River, leaving some dead and missing.

Wider weather episode

A historic flash flood and record rainfall occurred over portions of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Area and Southeast WI resulting in damages in the $100s Millions. Warm, moist, and unstable air rose along a stalled front to produce numerous thunderstorms and more than 10 inches of rain in many locations. Widespread flash flooding of streets, creeks, rivers, and low lying neighborhoods occurred. A homeless camp in Milwaukee underneath 1st Street Bridge adjacent to the surge of record flooding on the Kinnickinnic River was swept away. One or two deaths may be a result of this flash flooding with a couple others missing. Thousands of residential homes or businesses sustained major flood damage with dozens classified as destroyed due to 1st floor flooding, basement flooding or foundation collapse. Residential sewage backups, and raw sewage released into rivers and Lake MI by many municipalities was common. A small number of complete road washouts and swift water rescues occurred, in addition to dozens of people stranded in their vehicles in deep, still water in low lying areas. First responders had difficulty getting to their 911 calls including stranded motorists and flooded neighborhoods, due to the numerous flooded roads. Dozens of people were evacuated or relocated from their flooded homes and neighborhoods. Longer duration areal flooding and river flooding, which ranged from moderate flooding to record flooding, then continued for a couple more days. In addition to the flash flooding, a couple hikers were struck by lightning, via a ground current from a nearby strike on a tree, on the Ice Age Trail near Palmyra. They were initially rendered unconscious but did survive.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (42.8453, -87.8277)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1284738. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.