News Summary
Milwaukee was hit with historic rainfall on August 9-10, leading to severe flooding, widespread property damage, and the early closure of events like the Wisconsin State Fair. Although there were no reported deaths, the flooding prompted numerous water rescues by the Milwaukee Fire Department. A state of emergency was declared as residents faced extensive property damage and utility outages. Federal assistance has been made available for recovery efforts, with further rain expected in the area.
Milwaukee faced record-breaking rainfall that caused widespread flash flooding and significant disruptions across the metro area on August 9 and 10, 2023. Milwaukee recorded a staggering 5.74 inches of rain on August 9, shattering the previous daily record of 1.64 inches. By early August 10, total storm rainfall reached nearly 7 inches, with certain regions accumulating 10-11 inches of precipitation.
The severe flooding prompted the early closure of the Wisconsin State Fair, which was unable to reopen for its final day scheduled on August 10. Additionally, the flooding resulted in the cancellation of various concerts, and many vehicles were left submerged under water.
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson announced that there were no reported flood-related deaths in the city but acknowledged substantial property damage incurred by residents. Thousands of households were left without electricity as a result of the storm.
In response to the flooding, the Milwaukee Fire Department conducted 65 water rescues overnight, assisting dozens of individuals trapped in flooded vehicles. Furthermore, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers activated National Guard support to aid in flood response efforts, particularly in regions still under flash flood warnings.
Milwaukee County declared a state of emergency due to the extensive flooding, with more rain anticipated in the coming days. The National Weather Service issued a flood warning that remained effective until 10 a.m. local time on August 11 as the area dealt with lingering rain and ongoing flooding effects.
Residents experienced significant property damage, with many reporting flooded basements. One local resident described having three feet of floodwater in her basement, resulting in the loss of numerous belongings. Milwaukee River levels peaked at 11.19 feet before receding to 8.7 feet by the afternoon of August 10.
Despite the ongoing flooding, a Major League Baseball game between the New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers proceeded as scheduled on August 10. Additionally, the Wisconsin State FFA Honors Band and Choir performance attracted a larger audience due to attendees seeking shelter from the storm.
In the aftermath of the flooding, FEMA assistance was made available for residents in southeast Wisconsin impacted by the storm. This assistance followed a disaster declaration by President Donald Trump, which enabled nearly $30 million in federal disaster relief specifically for Wisconsin to support recovery efforts.
Affected residents were encouraged to file insurance claims prior to applying for FEMA assistance to cover uninsured damages. The maximum financial aid FEMA could provide for home repairs is approximately $43,000, although the average aid amount for those lacking flood insurance is around $3,000.
Notably, the presidential disaster declaration was executed significantly faster than typical timelines for previous disaster declarations in Wisconsin, reflecting the urgency of the situation. Applications for FEMA assistance must be submitted by November 12, 2025, through the official DisasterAssistance.gov website or via phone.
As the city grapples with recovery efforts, local officials continue to advise residents to remain vigilant and avoid driving through flooded areas to facilitate ongoing rescue operations.
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Additional Resources
- Fox6Now: FEMA Aid in Wisconsin
- Wikipedia: Federal Emergency Management Agency
- TMJ4: Trump Approves FEMA Support
- Google Search: Wisconsin Flooding
- Urban Milwaukee: Disaster Relief for Milwaukee Storm
- Google Scholar: Milwaukee Flooding 2023
- WTMJ: How to Apply for FEMA Assistance
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Flood Relief
- Urban Milwaukee: Federal Flooding Assistance
- Google News: Wisconsin FEMA Flood
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
