2010 Milwaukee flood
Encyclopedia
There were two episodes of flash flood
ing in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin
, area in a one-week period in July 2010.
The first incident occurred in the night on July 15 to July 16. This incident caused basement flooding and some street flooding.
Seven days later on July 22 up to 7.5 inch of rain fell in two hours. This unusually heavy rainfall turned streets and freeways into rivers and impassible ponds. Because of the massive amount of rain in such a short amount of time, it caused sewer backups in many areas of the county. The hardest hit were the Northshore areas of Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, Glendale, and North-eastern Milwaukee with water reaching five feet in some areas. The areas had just recovered from the earlier flood and were beginning to resume normalcy. The phrase 'insult to injury' was echoed among many of the TV stations for their plight. Other severe floods, causing ditches to flow over and much basement damage, was located in Fox Point
.
A Cadillac Escalade
SUV was swallowed in large sinkhole many times its size at the intersection of Oakland and North Avenues on Milwaukee's East Side
.
The severe weather closed Mitchell International Airport, causing a so called rain-in. The runways were flooded with high water grounding local flights, and causing incoming flights to be diverted.
The flooding also caused one confirmed death as 19 year old Kyle Prelesnik's body was recovered from Lincoln Creek about eight blocks away from his car which he had been driving in the storm. The cause of the car going into the creek is pending.
It is estimated that the latter storm caused flooding damage of about $37 million. Governor Jim Doyle
declared a State of Emergency for Milwaukee County on July 23 as more than ten inches of rain had fallen between the two storms.
In the aftermath of the flooding, the state of Wisconsin requested emergency assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency
, but the initial request was rejected because there was not enough damage reported to qualify for assistance. In August, after Governor Doyle appealed the rejection and submitted additional information on damages, the state received a "Public Assistance" declaration that authorized federal aid in connection with flooding and storm damage to public facilities in Milwaukee County and Grant County, Wisconsin
, during the period July 20-24. Calumet County
was later added to the declaration. In September, President Barack Obama
issued an "Individual Assistance declaration" that authorized federal aid for damaged homes and businesses.
Damage from flood waters and backed-up sewage led to a decision in November 2010 to demolish the former St. Michael Hospital, a seven-story 800000 ft2 building that had been largely vacant since the hospital
closed in 2006.
Flash flood
A flash flood is a rapid flooding of geomorphic low-lying areas—washes, rivers, dry lakes and basins. It may be caused by heavy rain associated with a storm, hurricane, or tropical storm or meltwater from ice or snow flowing over ice sheets or snowfields...
ing in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
, area in a one-week period in July 2010.
The first incident occurred in the night on July 15 to July 16. This incident caused basement flooding and some street flooding.
Seven days later on July 22 up to 7.5 inch of rain fell in two hours. This unusually heavy rainfall turned streets and freeways into rivers and impassible ponds. Because of the massive amount of rain in such a short amount of time, it caused sewer backups in many areas of the county. The hardest hit were the Northshore areas of Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, Glendale, and North-eastern Milwaukee with water reaching five feet in some areas. The areas had just recovered from the earlier flood and were beginning to resume normalcy. The phrase 'insult to injury' was echoed among many of the TV stations for their plight. Other severe floods, causing ditches to flow over and much basement damage, was located in Fox Point
Fox Point, Wisconsin
Fox Point is a village in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 7,012 at the 2000 census.Fox Point is located along the North Shore area of the Milwaukee metropolitan area. It is named after a small point extending into Lake Michigan...
.
A Cadillac Escalade
Cadillac Escalade
The Cadillac Escalade is a full-size luxury sport utility vehicle sold by the General Motors luxury brand, Cadillac. It was the division's first major entry into the popular SUV market. The Escalade was introduced for the 1999 model year in response to German and Japanese competitors and to Ford's...
SUV was swallowed in large sinkhole many times its size at the intersection of Oakland and North Avenues on Milwaukee's East Side
East Side, Milwaukee
East Side is a neighborhood of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, considered to be a cultural and trend-setting center of the city since at least the 1960s. Encompassing an area just north of downtown Milwaukee to Shorewood, bordered by the Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan, the area encompasses residences,...
.
The severe weather closed Mitchell International Airport, causing a so called rain-in. The runways were flooded with high water grounding local flights, and causing incoming flights to be diverted.
The flooding also caused one confirmed death as 19 year old Kyle Prelesnik's body was recovered from Lincoln Creek about eight blocks away from his car which he had been driving in the storm. The cause of the car going into the creek is pending.
It is estimated that the latter storm caused flooding damage of about $37 million. Governor Jim Doyle
Jim Doyle
James Edward "Jim" Doyle is a Wisconsin politician and member of the Democratic Party. He was the 44th Governor of Wisconsin, serving from January 6, 2003 to January 3, 2011. He defeated incumbent Governor Scott McCallum by a margin of 45 percent to 41 percent; the Libertarian Party candidate Ed...
declared a State of Emergency for Milwaukee County on July 23 as more than ten inches of rain had fallen between the two storms.
In the aftermath of the flooding, the state of Wisconsin requested emergency assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency
Federal Emergency Management Agency
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security, initially created by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1978 and implemented by two Executive Orders...
, but the initial request was rejected because there was not enough damage reported to qualify for assistance. In August, after Governor Doyle appealed the rejection and submitted additional information on damages, the state received a "Public Assistance" declaration that authorized federal aid in connection with flooding and storm damage to public facilities in Milwaukee County and Grant County, Wisconsin
Grant County, Wisconsin
Grant County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 49,597. Its county seat is Lancaster. Estimates for 2008 show a population of 49,238...
, during the period July 20-24. Calumet County
Calumet County, Wisconsin
Calumet County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is included in the Appleton, Wisconsin, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the county's population was 48,971. The county seat is Chilton.-History:...
was later added to the declaration. In September, President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
issued an "Individual Assistance declaration" that authorized federal aid for damaged homes and businesses.
Damage from flood waters and backed-up sewage led to a decision in November 2010 to demolish the former St. Michael Hospital, a seven-story 800000 ft2 building that had been largely vacant since the hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
closed in 2006.