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MMSD Storm Update Aug 9-11, 2025

08/11/25 12:00:pm

(Milwaukee, WI) – Record rainfall in the Greater Milwaukee area on August 9 and 10, 2025, resulted in life-threatening flash flooding, property damage, and overflows from local and regional sewer systems.  MMSD received over 1,100 reports of water backing up into basements. 

According to the MMSD area-wide rain gauges (see map below), 14 areas received seven inches or more of rain in 24 hours. To illustrate the scale of this event, one inch of rain across our service area is equivalent to 7.1 billion gallons of water.

Greater Milwaukee Rain Gauge Totals August 9 to 11, 2025

MMSD Greater Milwaukee rain gauage data from August 9 to 11, 2025

Flash Flood Safety

Stay out of floodwater — it may have sewage, chemicals, or trash. Never walk or drive through floodwater. Wear boots and gloves for cleanup, and wash your hands after.

Food Safety After Flooding. Throw away any food, drinks, or medicine that has come into contact with floodwater. Toss food in packages that are wet or damaged. Wash and sanitize dishes, utensils, and counters that came into contact with floodwater.

Do You Have Standing Water in Your Basement?

If you have standing water in your basement, DO NOT go into the basement! Electricity + Water = Danger.

Wait for the water to drain out of the basement before entering. Or, call a qualified electrician to disconnect the power before you enter a flooded basement.

Call your municipal public works department to report local flooding, and call your homeowners/renters insurance agent.

Please fill out the "Report a Basement" form to help track flooding in our area, which is shared with the 29 municipalities MMSD serves. 

Report a Wet Basement

How to Clean and Dispose of Flood-Damaged Items 

The United States Environmental Protection Agency gives guidance and tips to safely clean your flooded home. Several municipalities across southeast Wisconsin have established special trash disposal procedures following historic flooding in the region. Residents can access free drop-off services and extended hours at various locations.

Additional Flooding Resources:

water flooding in basement

IMPORTANT! Water in the Basement can be dangerous

  1. Do not go into a basement with standing water. Electricity + Water = Danger.
  2. Call your municipal public works department to report the problem. If your municipality is unable to help you, call MMSD at (414) 272-5100 or report a wet basement.
  3. Call your homeowners/renters insurance agent.
  4. Wait for the water to drain out of the basement before entering. Or, call a qualified electrician to disconnect the power before you enter a flooded basement.
MMSD Water Drop Alert

Text: WATERDROP to 414-296-4422 for Española texto GOTADEAGUA a 414-296-4422

Receive Water Drop Alert text messages when heavy rain threatens the area. When a Water Drop Alert has been issued, a reminder is sent to use less water.

What do you do when an alert is issued?

  • Hold off on washing dishes and laundry
  • Take a shorter shower 
  • Empty your rain barrel
Heavy rains resulting in dangerous Milwaukee area Rivers

???? Heavy Rains = Dangerous Rivers ????  

Please be safe around our concrete-lined rivers. STAY OUT of the concrete-lined channel since the water is fast-moving and the concrete is slippery. Call 911 if someone is in danger. We need your help in keeping our community safe.