Flooding has forced people from their homes in parts of the US state of Iowa after weeks of rain, while residents of a large part of the rest of the US territory yesterday longed for relief from consecutive days of extreme heat, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
Sirens were sounded at 2 a.m. in Rock Valley, Iowa, population 4,200, where people in hundreds of homes were told to evacuate as the Rock River burst its banks. There is no running water in the city because the wells are unusable.
Mayor Kevin Van Otterloo said a state helicopter was on its way to help, but was called back when boats were able to reach the stranded residents.
„We've had so much rain here,” he said. “We had 4 inches last night in an hour and a half. Our land simply cannot take any more.“
Governor Kim Reynolds declared a state of emergency for 21 counties in northern Iowa, including Sioux County, which includes Rock Valley. Drone video released by the local sheriff shows no streets, just rooftops and treetops jutting out over the water.
In South Dakota, Gov. Christy Noem declared a state of emergency after heavy rain fell in the southeastern part of the state. The town of Canton, 30 miles (48 kilometers) southeast of Sioux Falls, received 18 inches (45.72 centimeters) of rain.
Several highways were closed, including a key stretch of Interstate 29 south of Sioux Falls, which was later reopened. Sioux Falls, the state's largest city, received more than 7 inches (17.7 centimeters) of rain over three days.
„Although the rain is easing, we must remain vigilant,” Noem said. “The worst floods on our rivers will be Monday and Tuesday.“
Elsewhere in the US, the terrible grip of heat and humidity continued. The National Weather Service said an estimated 15 million people had been issued a heat advisory — the highest level of alert — while another 90 million were under heat warnings. The lives of millions across the country have been disrupted by unusually high temperatures.
Last year, the US experienced the most heat waves since 1936, experts said. An AP analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that excessive heat contributed to more than 2,300 deaths, the most in 45 years.
Temperatures around 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius) were forecast for Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia, while Philadelphia; Newark, New Jersey; Columbus, Ohio; and Detroit were bracing for temperatures above 30 degrees.
In the state of New Mexico, heavy rain and flash flood warnings prompted officials to order some evacuations and shelters were set up for displaced residents.
The National Weather Service has declared a flash flood emergency for Friday night through early Saturday morning. Areas affected include the city of Las Vegas, New Mexico and communities near Albuquerque.
In Ruidoso, a mountain village in New Mexico, permanent residents will be able to return tomorrow after being forced to evacuate by wildfires, but their daily lives will not return to normal.
„You will have to bring food for a week, you will have to bring drinking water”, Mayor Lynn Crawford warned on “Facebook”.