Thunderstorms swamped most of southern Wisconsin, causing widespread flooding and massive power outages, and more rain was on the way, officials said.
The fast-moving system dumped more than 7 inches of rain in just a few hours Thursday, transforming the Milwaukee metro area streets into rivers, backing up sewers and flooding basements, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Friday.
Two sisters were struck by lightning on the city's south side, and emergency crews rescued a driver after a sinkhole opened and swallowed his Cadillac
Escalade. All three were taken to area hospitals.
The National Weather Service forecast more rain Friday, followed by hot, sticky weather.
The weather service said several tornadoes were reported.
Relief won't be found at area lakes because they are closed through Sunday due to potential contamination from the storm, officials said
The storm put 32,000 power customers in Milwaukee, Jefferson, Washington and Waukesha counties in the dark, the Journal Sentinel reported.
The control tower at Mitchell International Airport closed for about an hour after a tornado warning was issued. The severe weather delayed or canceled dozens of flights, and airport operations shut down Thursday night after sections of the airfield and roads flooded. They would remain closed until the water receded, airport officials said.
Because some Milwaukee Public Schools buildings and play fields were flooded, school officials said activities in district buildings were
canceled for Friday, including summer school and enrichment programs and recreation activities.