Powerful storms bring heavy rain, tornadoes to Wis., flooding closes airport, blocks roads

Flooding shuts down airport, closes roads in Wis.

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Powerful thunderstorms are causing widespread flooding in southern Wisconsin, closing down Milwaukee’s airport and blocking roads, and two people have been struck by lightning.

Heavy rains pounded the region Thursday, with parts of Milwaukee seeing up to 7.5 inches of rain in just two hours. The National Weather Service received several reports of tornadoes.

State emergency management officials say two people hit by lightning were taken to a Milwaukee hospital. Their conditions haven’t been released.

They also say a massive sink hole opened up at an intersection north of downtown — and swallowed a Cadillac Escalade.

A spokeswoman says Milwaukee-General Mitchell International closed around 9:30 p.m. when floodwaters began covering the runways.