Milwaukee Flooding and Brewers’ Game

The Milwaukee Brewers managed to sweep the New York Mets in their recent three-game series, thanks in part to the stadium’s retractable roof and some lucky breaks amidst bad weather.

If the games were held outdoors, there likely would have been multiple rainouts. Saturday’s heavy rain was intense enough to penetrate the roof, creating puddles around the bases.

Milwaukee experienced historic flooding over the weekend. It was serious—some members of the Sportsnet New York (SNY) crew found themselves trapped in cars due to the rising waters.

On Sunday, parts of the city received around 12 inches (30 cm) of rain, according to the National Weather Service. Roads near the stadium were submerged, and many vehicles were left stranded.

During the game that day, SNY employees, including Mets broadcaster Steve Gelbs, had to abandon their cars just a quarter mile from their hotel and swim the rest of the way. “They came back from Green Bay last night, hit a quarter mile from the hotel, had to abandon their cars and swim to the hotel,” Gelbs relayed.

This flooding situation was dire; about 47,000 customers in southeastern Wisconsin lost power as the Menomoni River overflowed and submerged playgrounds. Firefighters received over 600 calls—everything from gas leaks to water rescues, according to the Milwaukee Fire Department. City crews worked through the night to clear standing water, urging residents to avoid driving or walking through flooded areas. “It remains dangerous,” warned the Milwaukee Public Works Department.

Still, despite the severe conditions, 33,700 fans attended the game on Sunday. Their effort was rewarded when the Brewers secured a dramatic walk-off victory, extending their win streak to nine games.