Milwaukee, WI — A powerful and slow-moving storm system that battered Wisconsin over the weekend, flooding streets and forcing the State Fair to shut down, is now tracking south and east, with meteorologists warning of life-threatening flash flooding in parts of Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Flash Flood Emergency in Oklahoma
According to the Weather Prediction Center, the system is expected to dump 2 to 3 inches of rain per hour in the central U.S. “Flash flooding is likely,” forecasters cautioned.
Just before 4 a.m. local time, the National Weather Service office in Norman, Oklahoma, issued a flash flood emergency, warning that flooding was either already happening or imminent. The alert reported that 2 to 5 inches of rain had already fallen, with an additional 3 inches expected.
Flood and thunderstorm advisories were in effect across both Arkansas and Oklahoma as the slow-moving storm continued to track through the region.
“We’ve seen widespread street flooding and dangerous travel conditions this morning,” meteorologists in Norman warned.
National Guard Activated in Wisconsin
Over the weekend, the same system unleashed record rainfall on Wisconsin, especially in the Milwaukee area, where more than a foot of rain fell. The extreme flooding prompted a county-wide emergency declaration as cars were submerged and people were stranded.
Gov. Tony Evers announced late Sunday that he had authorized the National Guard to help Milwaukee County respond to the disaster.
“My office has been in contact with local officials throughout the day today to offer state assistance wherever we can,” Evers said in an Aug. 10 post on X. “I want to thank all of the emergency and first responders and local officials who’ve been working around the clock to respond.”
Dramatic Rescues in Franklin
One of the most dramatic incidents came in Franklin, southwest of Milwaukee, where a teenager was swept away by the Root River.
First responders said they heard him screaming for help before finding him clinging to a tree branch while standing on a submerged log. The teen was rescued and transported to a hospital for evaluation.
Storm’s Deadly Impact in Nebraska
While Wisconsin saw no storm-related fatalities, officials confirmed that a woman in eastern Nebraska was killed Saturday when strong winds caused a tree to fall on her car.
Public Safety Reminders
With more flooding possible across the central U.S., emergency officials are urging residents to take precautions:
- Avoid driving or walking through floodwaters; even a small amount of moving water can be deadly.
- Monitor weather alerts and be ready to evacuate if instructed.
Officials say the risk of flash flooding will remain high into the night, especially in low-lying and urban areas. As this storm system slows, localized totals could push rainfall records in several states.
What are your thoughts on the increasing frequency of these severe storms? Share your views in the comments.
