Manawa, Wisconsin experienced severe thunderstorms on Friday that led to floodwaters bursting through a levee, prompting evacuations and road closures, officials reported. Meteorologist Kurt Kotenberg from the National Weather Service office in Green Bay shared that a cluster of thunderstorms hovered over Manawa, bringing over 5½ inches of rain in just four hours.

The intense rainfall caused flash flooding, resulting in erosion near the Manawa dam. Emergency crews began evacuating residents downstream, relocating them to the city’s masonic center and high school. Additionally, an assisted-living facility was evacuated to a veterans home in King, located 20 miles away.

By midday, the Little Wolf River overflowed the Manawa Dam, as seen in a video from WGBA showing the river cascading through a broken levee next to the dam. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported, according to Manawa Mayor Mike Frazier.

The storms formed due to a slow-moving cold front and an area of low pressure passing through the region between Friday morning and midday. The Upper Midwest has experienced above-normal precipitation since spring, leading to several instances of flooding.

Recent torrential rains in Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota caused widespread flooding, with some areas receiving up to 10 inches of rainfall. The excessive downpours resulted in a rail bridge collapse connecting South Dakota and Iowa, while the Rapidan Dam near Mankato, Minnesota failed, washing away at least one home. The dam is currently facing partial collapse.

The floods were exacerbated by already saturated soil from previous months of rainfall and increasing temperatures. In the past two weeks, Manawa has seen 6 inches of rain, saturating the ground further. Forecasters predict a relatively calm Saturday followed by more storms on Sunday, with up to half an inch of additional rain expected in the area.

Despite the challenges posed by the flooding, communities like Manawa are coming together to ensure the safety and well-being of residents. The impact of climate change is becoming more apparent through these extreme weather events, underscoring the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of natural disasters.