Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Monday, July 27, 2026
Amid storms, flash flood warning issued for Racine and Kenosha County
Jack AlbrightCaden Perry
The thunderstorms blanketing much of southern Wisconsin have hit Kenosha and Racine, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a flash flood warning in both counties until 3 p.m. Monday, July 27.
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.
Sunday, June 28, 2026
Wisconsin Originals: Les Paul of Waukesha helped make Rock & Roll what it is today
BARRY ADAMS
As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, we're recognizing Wisconsinites who have made unique contributions to the nation.
Les Paul’s home-spun inventions elevated him to a peer group that includes Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Edison.
It was Paul, nicknamed “The Wizard of Waukesha,” who helped make the sound of American Rock 'n Roll possible with his solid-body electric guitars and the recording practices he invented like overdubbing and multi-track recording.
His Gibson Les Paul Custom guitars have been favored over the years by the likes of Jimmy Page of Led Zepplin, Duane Allmen of the Allmen Brothers Band and Randy Rhoads of Black Sabbath.
Paul, also a celebrated jazz musician, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 and, in 2007, two years before his death, was awarded the National Medal of Arts, the highest award given to artists by the U.S. government.
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Les Paul, known for his innovations on the solid body electric guitar and in multitrack recording, was born in Waukesha. |
In 1941, Paul designed and built one of the first solid-body electric guitars. That led to a deal in the 1950s with the Gibson Guitar Company, which would go on to produce a guitar according to Paul’s specifications.
Paul won a Grammy in 1977 for the album “Chester and Lester,” a collection of pop-jazz guitar duets recorded with his old friend Chet Atkins.
Discovery World Museum in Milwaukee has a permanent exhibit dedicated to Paul as does the Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum. There are a series of murals throughout Waukesha honoring Paul’s life while his grave at Prairie Home Cemetery in Waukesha features a large monument with a guitar.
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