Hundreds of flights delayed and millions of Americans remain under flood alerts as torrential rain pounds Midwest
Millions of Americans experienced travel disruptions and flood alerts as severe storms battered the Midwest on Sunday night, leading to the delay of hundreds of flights.
Denver International Airport bore the brunt of the storm, with 21 flights canceled and more than 900 flights delayed due to the adverse weather conditions, as reported by FlightAware. Major airlines like Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and SkyWest faced significant delays, with Southwest Airlines logging 339 delays, United Airlines 244, and SkyWest 157.
The National Weather Service issued flood watches and warnings for several states including Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The forecast predicted continued heavy rain, hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes until Monday.
On Saturday, a series of storms hit the Upper Midwest, causing havoc in cities like Omaha, Nebraska, with wind gusts reaching 80-90 mph, and Milwaukee, where up to a foot of rain fell, according to NBC News.
Milwaukee was among the worst-hit areas, recording up to 14 inches of rain by Sunday. The Milwaukee Fire Department responded to over 600 calls for various emergencies including gas leaks, flooded basements, power outages, and water rescues. The city also opened two shelters for displaced residents.
As the storm continued, nearly 14,000 people were left without power in Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Brewers and New York Mets played at American Family Field amidst empty parking lots and traffic closures.
City officials advised residents to avoid driving or walking in flooded areas, emphasizing the danger posed by standing water. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley declared a state of emergency throughout the county due to overwhelming rainfall and flooding, urging residents to stay cautious and informed.
The Wisconsin State Fair was forced to cancel its final day as heavy rain flooded the fairgrounds in West Allis, leading to road closures and power outages. Videos and images captured the chaos as vehicles were trapped in floodwaters, with fairgoers wading through puddles with umbrellas up.
Federal assistance may be required to aid in the recovery efforts, with Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers expected to declare a state of emergency to access federal aid.
The challenging weather conditions have brought about a sense of solidarity among residents and officials, with a focus on ensuring the safety and well-being of the community during this trying time.
(With inputs from Post wires)
