Between 2 and 3 inches of rain have already fallen, with another 1-2 inches possible. The additional rain is expected to flood small creeks, streets — including highways — along with low-lying areas.
The National Weather Service recommends residents turn around when encountering flooded roads and not try to drive through them.
See weather radar for Racine County
What is a flash flood?
A flash flood is a flood caused by heavy or excessive rainfall in a period of 6 hours or less, according to the NWS.
Flash floods are usually characterized by sudden onset torrents that develop after heavy rains. A flash flood can take just minutes to develop and is possible in areas not immediately receiving rain.
What's the difference between a flash flood watch and a flash flood warning?
A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you are in a flood prone area and receive a warning, you should act immediately and move to high ground.
In contrast, the NWS only issues a flash flood watch when flash flooding is possible but not occuring imminently.
What to do during a flood warning
Evacuate immediately if advised to do so.
Use a battery-operated radio or television to get the latest emergency information.
Do not walk through floodwater. It only takes six inches of floodwater to sweep you off your feet if it is moving swiftly.
Turn around, don't drown; do not drive into a flooded street. Cars can be swept away by two feet of moving water. There may be unseen damage to the road as well. If you come to a flooded area, turn around and go another way. Most flood-related deaths are caused by people driving through water.
Watch out for fire hazards.
Move to higher ground.
Stay alert, turn weather notifications on.
Do not allow children to play in flowing water. Waters can hide rocks, trees and debris.
A horse was severely injured and later put down after being struck by an Amtrak train July 7 in Racine County, according to the Caledonia Police Department.
Police responded to the area near Prairie Crossing Drive and Racine County H in Caledonia around 6 a.m. after two horses were seen running loose.
Officers attempted to corral the animals while working to keep them off the roadway with the help of the horses' owners, but the horses began to run west along the train tracks near where they were originally seen. Police notified the train companies to request that all trains be stopped until the horses could be safely guided off the track, but a northbound Amtrak train could not stop in time and hit one of the horses.
No passengers on the train were injured. The second horse was not hit and was safely corralled into its enclosure.
A vet from the Sturtevant area was called to the scene and humanely euthanized the horse due to its severe injuries.
Adrienne Davis is a general assignment and breaking news reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Got any tips or stories to share? Contact Adrienne at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss.
Few traditions capture the spirit of Independence Day quite like a dazzling fireworks display. Across the country, cities go all out each July 4, combining music and unforgettable views that draw huge crowds year after year. Leading the way is New York City’s famous Macy’s Fourth of July Fir…
RACINE — If fireworks are on your Independence Day to-do list, there will be plenty of opportunities in Racine and Kenosha counties to catch a display.
Sturtevant will host a fireworks display at Fireman's Park, 9630 Charles St., starting around 9 p.m. July 3. On-site parking is available for a fee (approximately $5), though viewing is possible from nearby neighborhoods.
Paddock Lake's fireworks display will start at 9:30 p.m. July 3.
In Burlington, fireworks will be displayed over the festival grounds off Maryland Avenue (behind Walgreens) starting at dusk July 4. Residents can view the display from Echo Park or surrounding areas.
Racine's fireworks show over the Lake Michigan shoreline will begin after dusk July 4 from North Beach, typically around 9:15 p.m.
Kenosha's Festival Foods fireworks display over Lake Michigan is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. July 4
Pleasant Prairie is holding its first fireworks show in nearly 20 years July 11. The display is being hosted by Lake Andrea Beer Garden at Prairie Springs Park and is expected to begin after dark.
"Wisconsin is now home to the world's most powerful supercomputer," Microsoft President Brad Smith said in a June 23 statement.
“This campus will help power the next generation of AI innovation globally and provide long-term economic opportunity locally through hundreds of highly skilled jobs and continued investment in the region," Smith said.
The company has roughly 375 people working at the data centerand plans to have roughly 800 workers on the campus once the second data center is completed.
Village President Dave DeGroot called the completion of the first data center a "historic milestone" for Mount Pleasant and Racine County.
"Microsoft's decision to invest here elevates our community into a destination for innovation and advancement," DeGroot said, in a statement.
"As this campus continues to grow, it will create lasting opportunities for residents, strengthen our regional economy and help position Wisconsin for long-term success," he said.
The data center puts Microsoft at the top oflargest taxpayers in Mount Pleasant and Racine County. The company's facilities in Mount Pleasant are worth about $1.224 billion, according to assessment data, which means its annual tax bill is $19.75 million.
Microsoft has been approved to build up to 15 more data centersin Mount Pleasant during the next 10 years. Those centers are being built with union workers.
""I'm very proud of the work our members have done to build this facility," Michael Ervin, organizing director of Operating Engineers Local 139 said, in a statement. "Since day one, they have helped build it safely, professionally and with pride in their craft."
"This isn't an ordinary construction project," Ervin said. "Our members are getting the chance to work on some of the most advanced infrastructure, and those skills and experiences will stay with them throughout their careers.”
The Microsoft development is taking place within a tax incremental financing district. The district uses property tax revenue from the development to pay for roads, sewers, and other public infrastructure improvements.
MOUNT PLEASANT — After two years, construction of Microsoft's first data center in Mount Pleasant is complete.
Microsoft said Tuesday that the facility is fully operational. The plan for the facility was first announced inMay 2024.
Almost 10,000 construction crew members worked on the facility and there are currently almost 550 full-time employees on-site. Microsoft said the company and its contractors are actively hiring and expect this number will continue to grow.
Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith said Wisconsin is now home to the "world's most powerful supercomputer."
"This campus will help power the next generation of AI innovation globally and provide long-term economic opportunity locally through hundreds of highly skilled jobs and continued investment in the region," Smith said in a news release.
Mount Pleasant Village President David DeGroot called the facility's completion "a historic milestone for Mount Pleasant and all of Racine County as we become home to one of the most advanced technology campuses in the world."
"Microsoft's decision to invest here elevates our community into a destination for innovation and advancement," DeGroot said in the release. "As this campus continues to grow, it will create lasting opportunities for residents, strengthen our regional economy and help position Wisconsin for long-term success."
Microsoft estimates the company will have spent $4.7 billion between 2024-28 locally on hyperscale construction in Wisconsin. It has directly purchased from 29 businesses across 11 Wisconsin counties, rippling across many more local companies through supplier networks, subcontracting, logistics and related services needs, according to Microsoft.
Direct purchases include construction suppliers in Racine County, contractors and steel fabricators in Outagamie and Marathon counties, electrical equipment manufacturers in Rock and Columbia counties, and machinery manufacturers in La Crosse County.
Construction of Microsoft's second facility in Mount Pleasant, which is immediately adjacent to the first, is ongoing. Current work includes foundation installation, steel erection and underground utility placement. This facility is scheduled to be completed in 2028.
When the second facility is fully operational, Microsoft expects the number of full-time employees in Mount Pleasant will grow to about 800.
The deadline for candidates to file for 2026 elections in Wisconsin was 5 p.m. June 1. The Wisconsin Elections Commission on June 9 officially confirmed the candidates who will be on the ballot.
The general election is scheduled for Nov. 3. Some races will require a primary, which will be Aug. 11.
Here's who is running for districts representing Racine and Kenosha counties.
The summer months have arrived and it’s time to start thinking of what to do and where to go to keep yourselves occupied.
There are many local events planned in Racine County this summer, including several which will continue for a number of weeks that may be of interest.
Among Racine and Racine County events are:
Burlington Farmers Market (June 4 – Sept. 24): The Burlington Farmers Market, 517 Congress St., Burlington, will be held from June – September every Thursday from 3 – 7 p.m. Admission is free. The market will have various food items, food trucks, as well as weekly live music.
Racine Farmers Market (May – Oct. 24): The Racine Farmers Market held at Festival Park, 5 Fifth St., Racine, began on May 9 and will run every Saturday through Oct. 24, with over 60 vendors offering a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and other delicacies. It is located at Festival Park, 5 Fifth St. in Racine.
Fun & Food on First (June through Sept. 28): Fun & Foot on First will run through every Monday through Sept. 28 in Waterford, 100 First St. from 5 – 8 p.m. The annual tradition offers food trucks, vendor markets, and weekly entertainment.
Bend & Brew (through Sept. 30): Bend & Brew is back for its ninth season in Racine. The events consist of free yoga every Wednesday and Saturday overlooking Lake Michigan. It will be held at the Reefpoint Marina’s grassy park area from 6-6:45 p.m. Wednesdays and from 8-8:45 a.m. Saturdays. Following each session, a certificate will be provided for a free coffee, beer, or drink at 10-plus local participating businesses.
Free Kids’ Day: Art “250” at the Wustum Museum (Friday, June 12): This one-day event at the museum in Racine runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will offer hands-on projects, scavenger hunts, and games in and outside the museum revolving around 250 years of handcrafted creativity.
Racine Harborfest (Friday, June 12, Saturday, June 13): Racine Harborfest, re-established in 2025, is back for a two-day music festival held at Festival Park from 4-11 p.m., including food and beverages. All money will go towards Pink Paddling Power, which provides education and support for breast cancer survivors throughout Racine and Racine County, and Relay for Life of Southeast Wisconsin (No One Faces Cancer Alone).
Greater Racine BBQ Invitational (Saturday, June 27): The fourth annual Greater Racine BBQ will be held at Franksville Memorial Park, 9614 Northwestern Ave, from 2-9 p.m. on Saturday, June 27. The event supports the Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin. Award-winning barbeque vendors will be in attendance, as well as live music, craft beer, and yard games. No carry-in alcohol is allowed.
Saturday Sounds (Saturdays, June 27 to Aug. 29): Saturday Sounds is an opportunity to jam out to some free, live music in Monument Square, 502 Main St, Racine, from 4:30-7:30 p.m. each Saturday. Tables and chairs will be provided, as well as drinks that are available for purchase.
Summer Camp at the Wisconsin Humane Society (Monday, July 6, to Friday, Aug. 24): Available for kids first-nighth grade,animal lovers can enjoy crafts, games, and meet and interact with several animals throughout the week. Camp Critters (first- third grade) will be offered July 13-17 and Aug. 10-14. Camp Unleased (fourth-sixth grade) runs from July 6-10 and July 20-24. Junior Veterinary Camp (sixth-ninth grade) will be held Aug. 3-7. Location: 8900 16th St., Mt. Pleasant.
Salmon-A-Rama (Thursday, July 9 through Sunday, July 19): The nine-day fishing tournament in Racine is open Lake Michigan-wide. The grand prize is $50,000 with a nearly a total of $200,000 in prize payouts. Held at Festival Park for 10 consecutive days, there will be two bands (The Cheap Shots, Broken Forty5), raffles, kid’s games, fireworks, kids fishing pond and food and beverages.
Taco Fest of Racine (Saturday, July 18): Franksville Memorial Park, 9614 Northwestern Ave, will hold the seventh annual Taco Fest from 1-9 p.m. Taco trucks and Taco restaurants are invited and there will be 20-plus craft beers on tap. Live music will be playing throughout the day. Admission is free.
Midwest Beach Championships (Saturday, Aug. 1): Open to junior teams and boys and girls, Epic Volleyball Club will be hosting the Midwest Beach Championships on North Beach in Racine from 8 a.m. 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1. Great Lakes Watercross will also be hosting a jet ski closed course through Aug. 1-2.
Car, Truck, & Bike Show (Thursday, Aug. 5): The Racine Zoo, 2131 N. Main St., will be hosting the Car, Truck, & Bike Show for all ages from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be more than 250 vehicles with a total of 75 awards being handed out. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
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