Extreme Weather Update: Midwest Flooding and Wisconsin Event Disruptions

Extreme Weather Update: Midwest Flooding and Wisconsin Event Disruptions

Here’s a clear, calm snapshot of what’s going on—and how to plan the next few days.

What’s happening

  • Heavy rain and flash flooding swamped parts of the Midwest, with Wisconsin hit especially hard.
  • Rivers and creeks rose fast. Some reached major flood stage.
  • Roads and underpasses closed in low spots. Crews are still clearing debris.
  • Events in Wisconsin—including large fairs, races, and concerts—were canceled or scaled back for safety.
  • Power outages and water rescues followed the worst downpours. Recovery work is underway.

In other words, the weather moved quickly, and so did the impacts. Floodwater may drop unevenly, so some areas will improve sooner than others.

What this means for travel

  • Driving: Expect detours near river crossings and low-lying lots. Never drive through water. Turn around, don’t drown.
  • Air and rail: Weather delays can ripple across schedules. Give yourself extra time, and check status before you leave home.
  • Event plans: If you have tickets this week, confirm gate times, parking changes, and any rescheduling or refund details directly with organizers.

Safety first: quick checklists

During flooding

  • Avoid walking or driving through floodwater, even if it looks shallow.
  • Keep kids and pets away from streams, culverts, and storm drains.
  • If water is rising in your home, move to higher levels and call for help.

After water recedes

  • Treat all floodwater as contaminated. Wear gloves and boots for cleanup.
  • Dry out wet spaces fast. Ventilate, dehumidify, and discard soaked porous items if you can’t clean them within 48 hours.
  • Have a licensed electrician inspect systems if outlets, breakers, or appliances were submerged.
  • Photograph damage before you start repairs. Save receipts for cleanup supplies and labor.

For neighborhoods and buildings

  • Watch for undermined pavement near culverts and riverbanks.
  • Clear debris from gutters and storm drains to reduce new pooling.
  • Mark any sinkholes or damaged walkways with cones or tape until repaired.

Event and venue guidance

For organizers

  • Set go/no-go triggers tied to rainfall rates, river gauges, and onsite water depth.
  • Pre-stage pumps, sandbags, and signage for low parking areas and pedestrian tunnels.
  • Push updates across text, email, social, and onsite boards at the same time; repeat at set intervals.
  • Offer clear refund or roll-over rules in plain language.
  • Require electrical safety checks before reopening any flooded building, stage, or vendor area.
  • Provide PPE (gloves, masks, eye protection) for wet cleanup crews.

For vendors and contractors

  • Protect cords and power strips off the ground; use GFCI outlets.
  • Keep critical gear in waterproof bins; label by booth or zone for quick redeploy.
  • Build a simple “pack and move” plan if a new band of storms is expected.

What businesses can do this week

  • Update your hours if staffing or access is limited; post the same message everywhere.
  • Review delivery routes and receiving windows; flooding can shift carrier schedules.
  • Prioritize inventory at risk, like floor-level goods and paper stock.
  • Call your insurer about documentation needs before large disposals or demolition.
  • Support your team: flexible shifts, ride shares for employees whose cars were damaged, and meal vouchers for crews working long cleanup days.

Health and home reminders

  • Well water users: If floodwater reached your well, treat it as unsafe until tested and cleared.
  • Mold prevention: Run dehumidifiers nonstop in damp rooms. Pull baseboards to vent walls if they were soaked.
  • Medication and food: Toss any meds or pantry items that got wet. When in doubt, throw it out.
  • Mental health: Flood cleanup is tiring. Take breaks, hydrate, and check on neighbors—especially older adults and families with small children.

Outlook for the next few days

  • Rivers will recede unevenly. Some will drop fast. Others will stay high longer, especially where rain fell upstream.
  • Soils are saturated. Even ordinary showers can cause renewed pooling in low spots.
  • Travel impacts may linger. Expect rolling lane closures as crews assess bridges, culverts, and shoulders.
  • Outdoor events may adjust start times, routes, or parking plans. Be ready for changes posted the morning of the event.

Simple prep steps you can take now

  • Move cars off the street if you live near a flood-prone curb or ditch.
  • Lift valuables and electronics at least a foot above floor level in basements and ground-floor rooms.
  • Stage a “wet kit”: heavy-duty trash bags, contractor bags, utility knife, gloves, N95 masks, paper towels, bleach or other disinfectant, plastic totes, and a box fan.
  • Charge phones and power banks; keep a flashlight and spare batteries within reach.
  • Set weather alerts on your phone for flash flood warnings and river statements in your county.

For runners, cyclists, and outdoor groups

  • Avoid trails along creeks and riverbanks until agencies declare them safe; shoulders and boards can be undercut.
  • Skip underpass tunnels and low causeways after rain; water can rise again quickly.
  • If an event offers a shortened course or deferred entry, take the option. Safety first; PRs can wait.

Schools and community programs

  • Inspect playgrounds and sports fields for sinkholes, loose footing, and hidden debris.
  • Keep portable classrooms and storage sheds off saturated turf; relocate to paved areas until soils firm up.
  • Update bus routes if usual pick-ups are blocked by closures or standing water.

Insurance and recovery tips

  • Start a damage log: date, time, location, brief description, and photos.
  • Don’t discard large items until your adjuster confirms what to document or keep.
  • If you must remove items for health reasons, photograph everything and keep a list with approximate values.
  • Save receipts for pumps, fans, tarps, contractor hours, and hotel stays.
  • Get written estimates from licensed contractors; avoid cash-only offers from door-to-door crews.

Staying steady together

Weather can bend plans. But clear steps help us bend back. We look out for one another. We check on neighbors. We give crews room to work. And we keep messages simple and honest. With patience, good information, and a little teamwork, we’ll get parks, streets, venues, and homes back on their feet—one block at a time.

If you’d like, I can reshape this into a neighborhood handout or a short script for event announcements—ready to print or post.

Here’s a clear, calm snapshot of what’s going on—and how to plan the next few days. What’s happening In other words, the weather moved quickly, and so did the impacts. Floodwater may drop unevenly, so some areas will improve sooner than others. What this means for travel Safety first: quick checklists During flooding After water…

Here’s a clear, calm snapshot of what’s going on—and how to plan the next few days. What’s happening In other words, the weather moved quickly, and so did the impacts. Floodwater may drop unevenly, so some areas will improve sooner than others. What this means for travel Safety first: quick checklists During flooding After water…