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Millions of Americans sweated scorching weekend as temperatures soared across the U.S. — while residents were also rescued from flooding that forced evacuations across the Midwest. One person has died in flooding in South Dakota, the governor there said.
From the mid-Atlantic to Maine, through the Great Lakes and west to California, state officials warned residents about the dangers of excessive heat and humidity. Forecasters say the heatwave will continue into the start of the week across the southeast, parts of the south and the plains, creating the greatest concern in affected areas.
“It’s more important for people who are going to be outside to stay hydrated because the heat, the humidity and the light winds, even if you’re in good shape and you’re not really used to it, it can be dangerous,” said Bruce Toren, meteorologist from the National Weather Service (NWS) in Oklahoma. “It’s going fast.”
The cities of WashingtonBaltimore and Philadelphia saw record heat over the weekend.
Last year, the US experienced the most heat waves since 1936, experts said. Data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that excessive heat contributed to more than 2,300 deaths, the highest level in 45 years of records.
Heat waves are becoming longer and more severe as a result of global climate crisis driven primarily by the burning of fossil fuels.
On the borders of South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota, floodwaters rose for several days. In northwest Iowa, 13 rivers flooded the area, said Eric Tieges of Clay County Emergency Management. Entire neighborhoods — and at least one entire city — were evacuated, and the Iowa town of Spencer imposed a curfew Sunday for a second night in a row after flooding surpassed a record since 1953.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, declared a disaster for 21 northern counties, including Sioux County. Drone video released by the local sheriff showed no streets, just rooftops and treetops jutting out over the water.
National Guard troops were assisting with water rescues and transporting needed medications lost in the flood.
“The business is closed. High streets are affected,” Reynolds said. “Hospitals, nursing homes and other care facilities were evacuated. Cities are without electricity and some are without potable water.
NWS meteorologist Donna Dubberke said parts of northern Nebraska, southeastern South Dakota, southern Minnesota and northwestern Iowa received eight times the typical average rainfall. More rain was expected this week as well.
In South Dakota, Gov Christy Noem declared a state of emergency after severe flooding in the southeast. Several highways were closed.
Areas south of Sioux Falls, the state’s largest city, saw an estimated 10 to 15 inches (25 to 38 cm) of rain over three days, NWS hydrologist Kevin Lowe said.
At least one person has died in the floods, Noem said on Sunday, without giving details.
Several rivers, including the Big Sioux, James and Vermillion, are expected to peak sometime Monday through Wednesday night, the governor said at a news conference.
Emergency management officials in the small South Dakota community of Dakota Dunes on Sunday issued a voluntary evacuation order for about 4,000 area residents. The Dakota Dunes are near the borders of Nebraska and Iowa and are sandwiched between the Missouri and Big Sioux rivers, both of which are expected to crest in the coming days. Dakota Dunes Emergency Management warned residents that mandatory evacuations could occur quickly if flood barriers are breached.
Minor to moderate flooding is expected along the Missouri River, according to officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The weather service warned of the potential for rare tornadoes in the Northeast later Sunday. A tornado ripped through Wisconsin on Saturday, leveling the historic Apple Grove Lutheran Church, founded in 1893 in the town of Argyle.
Weather Service Meteorologist Marvin Boyd in Burlington, Vermont, said a severe thunderstorm warning had been issued for parts of upstate New York as a storm with wind gusts above 60 mph (95 km/h) and the threat of tornadoes headed for Vermont near Lake Champlain. It was one of several expected to pass through the region Sunday afternoon.
“It’s an unusual arrangement of ingredients for Vermont and upstate New York to create a tornado threat,” Boyd said.
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