The final day of the Wisconsin State Fair, a cherished summer tradition for many in the Midwest, was brought to an abrupt halt on August 10, 2025, as relentless storms and flash flooding swept across southeastern Wisconsin and much of the region. The decision, announced by fair organizers early Sunday morning, left thousands of would-be visitors and vendors disappointed, but officials stressed that safety had to come first amid unprecedented weather conditions.
"We are saddened we cannot deliver this final day of the Wisconsin State Fair, but know that this is the best decision with current conditions and the forecast ahead," organizers said in a statement, a sentiment echoed in coverage by NBC News and the Associated Press. The closure capped what was meant to be the festive conclusion of an 11-day event, but as heavy rains battered the fairgrounds in West Allis, just outside Milwaukee, it became clear that continuing was simply not an option.
The trouble began on Saturday, August 9, when a severe weather threat was announced at 4:35 p.m., prompting warnings to attendees. The popular Lynyrd Skynyrd concert, scheduled for that evening, was delayed and ultimately canceled as storms intensified. By 8:50 p.m., the fairgrounds were closed altogether after flash flooding blocked at least one tunnel used by fairgoers to exit the park. Fair staff and police were on hand to help guide people to safety, but the damage was done: water inundated key areas, and the forecast promised more rain to come.
According to the National Weather Service, the storms that pummeled Wisconsin were part of a much larger system affecting as many as half a dozen Midwestern states—including Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, and Illinois. Flood watches and warnings covered roughly 14 million people, and meteorologists warned of "repeated rounds of heavy rain," hail, damaging winds, and even isolated tornadoes through Monday. In some spots around Milwaukee, rainfall totals reached a staggering 14 inches (36 centimeters) by Sunday, with west of the city recording between 8 and 11 inches (20 to 28 centimeters).
"Really unfortunately, it’s just a really bad overlap of circumstances in terms of how all this rain fell but then fell over such a populated area," said Andrew Quigley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, in comments reported by the Associated Press. The Menomonee River, which cuts through the Milwaukee suburb of Wauwatosa, overflowed and submerged a popular playground. Neighborhoods across the city saw streets, basements, and parks flood in a matter of hours.
The Milwaukee Fire Department was inundated with emergency calls—over 600 between Saturday evening and Sunday morning, according to Fire Chief Aaron Lipski. These included gas leaks, electrical outages, flooded basements, and at least 65 water rescues. "We’re still in the middle of it," Lipski told reporters on Sunday. "We’re still catching up right now." In Waukesha County, fire departments also rescued residents trapped by floodwaters. City crews worked overnight to clear surface water, but officials urged the public to stay away from flooded areas. "Please continue to avoid flooded areas and do not walk or drive through standing water. It remains dangerous," the City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works warned in a statement.
Power outages added to the chaos. As many as 47,000 We Energies customers in southeastern Wisconsin lost electricity at the height of the storms, with thousands still in the dark by Sunday evening, according to PowerOutage.us. The storm’s reach extended beyond Wisconsin: in Nebraska, fierce winds toppled a tree onto a car at Two Rivers State Park, killing one woman and seriously injuring another. Meanwhile, in Lincoln, Nebraska’s capital, the storms tore the roofs off two housing units at the Nebraska State Penitentiary, forcing the relocation of 387 inmates. Thankfully, all staff and incarcerated individuals were accounted for and safe, the Department of Correctional Services reported.
In Milwaukee, the impact on daily life was immediate and widespread. The USA Triathlon was forced to cancel its Sprint and Paratriathlon National Championships, which had been scheduled for Sunday and were expected to draw thousands of athletes and spectators. Organizers cited "potential water conditions, flooding and course damage throughout the course, limited emergency response teams to support the event, as well as impending weather for Sunday." The Milwaukee Brewers and New York Mets managed to play their scheduled game at American Family Field, but the parking lot was inaccessible due to flooding, and the team warned fans that parking could not be guaranteed even for those who had purchased passes in advance.
For many residents, the flooding was unlike anything they had seen in years. Loren Kaiser, a longtime Wauwatosa resident, described to NBC News how his family tried to flee as floodwaters began to rise. "We had the car loaded up and we just decided to try and make a run for it. The water just came in and everything in the garage started to float." In West Allis, Jean Krajewski and her husband, both retired, found their basement flooded and a hole gouged in their home’s foundation. "I had never seen anything like it, because all you could see is the stumps that the house is sitting on in the back," she said. Their home was declared uninhabitable, and, unable to buy flood insurance due to previous floods, the couple now faces a slow, uncertain rebuild.
For those who had hoped to enjoy the final day of the fair, organizers promised some relief. Tickets for the "Happy Together" tour, which was to take place Sunday, will be automatically refunded, as will parking passes purchased through official outlets. Fairgoers who had admission tickets or vouchers for cream puffs, bargain books, or rides can exchange them for equivalent vouchers for the 2026 State Fair, scheduled for August 6-16. Details on how to claim these exchanges will be finalized in the coming weeks, with fulfillment expected in mid-September. Organizers encouraged patrons to hold onto their tickets and keep an eye on the fair’s website for updates.
As the storms continued to threaten the Midwest and officials worked to clear the damage, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley declared a state of emergency. "There are thousands and thousands of people in Milwaukee that are dealing with the aftermath of the flooding that happened overnight," Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said at a news conference. "The flooding, in which some places of the city reported over a foot of rain, was something that Milwaukee hasn’t seen in perhaps a decade or more."
The 2025 Wisconsin State Fair will be remembered not for its food, music, or midway lights, but for the storm that turned celebration into crisis. As the region dries out and begins the long process of recovery, the resilience of its people—and the commitment to safety above all—remains clear.