MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Milwaukee area began drying out Monday after weekend rain hit unofficial records in Wisconsin of more than 14 inches (36 centimeters) in less than 24 hours, leading multiple rivers to flood at record-high levels, washing out vehicles, flooding basements and cutting power to thousands of homes.

Heavy thunderstorms and gushing rain pummeled parts of the Midwest and Plains over the weekend, triggering flash flooding that caused water rescues and canceled multiple events in the Milwaukee area.

Record flooding rains fell in Wisconsin over the weekend, triggering dozens of water rescues, shutting down the Wisconsin State Fair and prompting Milwaukee County officials to declare a state of emergency.