Communities from the Midwest to the Southeast, and as far north as Alaska, have been grappling with extreme flood events over the past week, prompting emergency declarations, road closures and massive cleanup efforts.
Milwaukee flooding
A storm system moved through Milwaukee between August 9 and 10, 2025, and dropped between 6-14 inches of rain in less than 24 hours. On August 10, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley declared a state of emergency, citing threats to public safety and property.
The Milwaukee Fire Department responded to more than 600 emergency calls, including water rescues, fires and gas leaks.
On August 11, Crowley and the Office of Emergency Management released further guidance and resources for residents, detailing ongoing response efforts.
On August 12, the city’s Department of Public Works announced it had extended hours at debris drop-off centers to help residents clear flood-damaged property. The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District also added hours at hazardous waste collection sites to handle the surge of cleanup needs.
Glacial lake outburst flood in Juneau, Alaska
On August 10, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy issued disaster declaration in anticipation of a glacial lake outburst flood from Suicide Basin, a tributary to the Mendenhall Glacier. Glacial lake outburst floods occur when meltwater builds up behind glacial ice then suddenly releases, sending torrents downstream.
Suicide Basin outburst have previously caused damage to Juneau’s Mendenhall Valley, eroding riverbanks, flooding homes and damaging infrastructure.
“By issuing this declaration before the flood occurs, we can position state resources and personnel in advance to support local and tribal governments in their efforts to protect lives, homes, and essential services,” said Governor Dunleavy in a press release. “Our goal is to act early to reduce impacts and preserve community safety.”
The disaster declaration allowed state agencies to position equipment and personnel ahead of the expected release, a proactive move to reduce potential harm to residents and property.
Flash flooding in Tennessee
Tennessee saw intense rainfall trigger flash flooding that disrupted travel and flooded neighborhoods in Hamilton County, including East Ridge and Chattanooga’s surrounding areas. Over six inches of rain fell in a short window, causing Spring Creek to overflow and inundate multiple roadways.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) reported that Interstate 24, Brainerd Road, Ringgold Road and State Route 153 were all affected, with water covering lanes and forcing closures.
TDOT detailed rapid response to the floods, which included deploying crews to pump water from roadways, clear debris and assess infrastructure damage. Emergency responders urged motorists to avoid flooded areas and reminded the public that even shallow water on roads can conceal significant hazards.
“We were mobilized and ready to respond with statewide resources,” said TDOT Commissioner Will Reid in a press release. “Acting in coordination with emergency services, our teams worked around the clock in the challenging conditions to get critical routes moving again.”
As of August 13, at least three people have died as a result of the flooding.
