Floodwaters have caused evacuations in parts of Iowa due to weeks of heavy rain, while much of the United States is suffering from extreme heat on Saturday.
In Rock Valley, Iowa, sirens sounded at 2 a.m. as the Rock River reached dangerous levels, forcing the evacuation of residents in hundreds of homes. Mayor Kevin Van Otterloo mentioned that the city was facing water shortages due to unusable wells.
Governor Kim Reynolds declared a disaster for Sioux County, which includes Rock Valley. Drone footage shared by the local sheriff showed submerged streets and rooftops.
Across the U.S., high heat and humidity persisted, with millions of people under heat warnings and advisories. Last year, the U.S. experienced the most heat waves since 1936, leading to a record number of heat-related deaths.
Temperatures were predicted to reach around 100 degrees Fahrenheit in Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia, with other cities like Philadelphia, Newark, and Detroit preparing for high 90s temperatures.
In New York state, heat-related hospital visits were significantly higher than average, and power outages in southeastern Michigan were still affecting thousands of customers from storm damage.
Flooding was also reported in parts of South Dakota and Iowa, causing road closures and power outages at wastewater treatment plants in some areas. In New Mexico, heavy rains and flash floods led to mandatory evacuations in certain areas.
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