Rivers rise and fall by nature. But what happened to them over the weekend in Milwaukee was jaw-dropping.
The Journal Sentinel used data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Water Prediction Service to visualize just how fast — and how dramatically — the area's rivers rose during the 1,000-year flood.
In many spots, the rivers are still high and fast-moving. Public safety officials urge people to steer far clear of the current. Here's a look at water levels on Aug. 9 and 10 for Milwaukee-area rivers.
Menomonee River in Wauwatosa
At 8 p.m. Aug. 9 in Wauwatosa, the Menomonee River was at less than two feet. By 10 p.m., it had risen to more than five times that height, with still more to go before reaching its peak in the early morning hours of Aug. 10.
More: Weekend storms were rare, but they reflect the new rainfall extremes in Wisconsin
Kinnickinnic River in Bay View
In Bay View, the Kinnickinnic River doubled in height between 7 and 9 p.m. Aug. 9. It peaked at more than 17 feet the morning of Aug. 10, a new record.
Menomonee River in Menomonee Falls
In Menomonee Falls, the Menomonee River grew to nearly three times its typical height the night of the storm. The river has remained high and fast-moving. Firefighters rescued two people from it near the village's Lime Kiln Park Aug. 11 after the pair jumped in to save their dog.
Milwaukee River near Cedarburg
The Milwaukee River near Cedarburg rose nearly five feet between the evening of Aug. 9 and the morning of Aug. 10. It has since kept rising, reaching nearly 13 feet the evening of Aug. 11.
More: Drivers must move vehicles stranded in floods by Thursday, Milwaukee DPW says
Root River in Franklin
The Root River in Franklin grew from about two feet at 10 p.m. Aug. 9 to nearly 12 feet the afternoon of Aug. 10. A teenage boy was rescued from the river by first responders later that day.
More: A much-needed break in the rain should allow rivers to recede rest of the week
Fox River in Waukesha
In Waukesha, the Fox River rose more than four times its usual height over the last few days. Some areas in Waukesha County received more than a foot of rain during the storm.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: See how Milwaukee rivers rose in Wauwatosa, Waukesha, Cedarburg
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