Historic Flooding Hits Manitowoc River

Flood warning issued as river crests above previous record high

Apr. 14, 2026 at 8:38pm

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A vast, majestic landscape painting depicting the Manitowoc River swollen with floodwaters, overflowing its banks and dwarfing any visible structures or human elements. The scene conveys a sense of the overwhelming, sublime power of nature, with dramatic lighting and deep atmospheric perspective.The Manitowoc River's historic flood levels expose the raw, elemental force of nature's impact on this Wisconsin community.Manitowoc Today

The National Weather Service in Green Bay has issued a Flood Warning for the Manitowoc River near the city of Manitowoc until further notice. The river has crested at 10.7 feet, breaking the previous high crest of 10.5 feet recorded in 2004, and is currently 7 inches above the 10-foot flood stage, leading to widespread flooding of lowland and agricultural areas.

Why it matters

Manitowoc is a city of over 30,000 people located along the Manitowoc River, and major flooding can cause significant damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure in the area. This event highlights the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events driven by climate change, which is an ongoing concern for many Midwest communities.

The details

The Manitowoc River reached a crest of 10.7 feet at noon on Tuesday, exceeding the previous record high of 10.5 feet set in 2004. The full-stage bank is 8 feet, with a flood stage of 10 feet, meaning the river is currently 7 inches above flood stage. Widespread flooding of lowland and agricultural areas has been reported, and several roads have been closed or may need to be closed due to the high water levels.

  • The Flood Warning was issued by the National Weather Service in Green Bay.
  • The river crested at 10.7 feet at noon on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
  • The previous record high crest was 10.5 feet, set on June 1, 2004.

The players

National Weather Service

The National Weather Service is a government agency that is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It is responsible for weather forecasting and issuing weather-related warnings and advisories.

Manitowoc River

The Manitowoc River is a river that flows through the city of Manitowoc, Wisconsin. It is prone to flooding during heavy rainfall and spring snowmelt events.

Manitowoc, Wisconsin

Manitowoc is a city located in eastern Wisconsin, with a population of over 30,000 people. It is situated along the Manitowoc River.

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What’s next

The National Weather Service will issue the next statement on the Manitowoc River flooding at 4:15 a.m. on Wednesday morning.

The takeaway

This historic flooding event on the Manitowoc River highlights the growing threat of extreme weather driven by climate change, which can have significant impacts on communities located along rivers and other waterways. Preparing for and mitigating the effects of these types of events will be an ongoing challenge for cities like Manitowoc in the years to come.