Wisconsin State Fair Ends Early After Stunning Flooding Scene

The Wisconsin State Fair kicked off on July 31, drawing thousands of visitors from across the state for food, music, and fun. It was set to wrap up yesterday, but Mother Nature had other plans.

On Saturday evening, an intense storm parked itself over the Milwaukee area, dumping an incredible 10 to 14 inches of rain in just a few hours. The fairgrounds in West Allis, a city just west of Milwaukee, were quickly overwhelmed by flash flooding. Roads leading to and from the fair became rivers, and the normally bustling midway turned into a lake.

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Massive Rainstorm Ends Wisconsin State Fair Early

Organizers had no choice but to cut short several events that night, including the highly anticipated Lynyrd Skynyrd concert. By the time the grounds closed early, it was clear the damage wasn’t going to be a quick fix.

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Scenes from the Storm

Videos from Saturday night showed knee-high water in some areas, with guests rolling up their pants or going barefoot to make their way out. Livestock exhibitors even waded through chest-deep water to get their animals to safety.

Thankfully, no injuries were reported, and all guests, animals, vendors, and staff were safe. Still, emergency crews were swamped, responding to more than 600 calls for everything from water rescues to gas leaks across the county.