‘Catastrophic flooding’ in the Upper Midwest prompts evacuations and rescues as record-breaking heat wave shifts to mid-Atlantic

CNN
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Millions of people in the US are still trudging through the ARrecord-breaking heat wave that’s shifting to the Mid-Atlantic as many Americans — including in New Mexico, Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota — face “catastrophic” flash flooding this weekend. Here’s the latest:

• Heat wave shifts to mid-Atlantic: As heat warnings remain in effect for more than 100 million people this weekend, the extreme heat risk will spread from the Ohio Valley on Saturday to the Mid-Atlantic on Sunday. Highs in the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic were 10 to 15 degrees above average. “An intense heat wave will persist in the Mid-Atlantic, where record temperatures are likely,” the National Weather Service said Saturday. “Numerous record-breaking highs are possible,” the agency added. In the West, triple-digit temperatures are possible in Central and Southern California, Arizona and Utah.

• Temperatures break records: Triple-digit heat hit Baltimore and Washington DC on Saturday. The nation’s capital hit the 100-degree mark on Saturday — the first time since 2016. It’s also the first time D.C. has recorded a temperature this early in the summer since 2012. Baltimore also reached 101 degrees, breaking the daily record. 100 degrees back in 1988. “The combination of this heat coming early in the summer season and lasting for several days increases the level of heat stress for those without reliable air conditioning,” the weather service said.

• Flooding prompts evacuations in Iowa: In Rock Valley, Iowa, all homes north of Highway 18 were evacuated Saturday due to high water. “I can’t even believe what I’m seeing right now,” said Daniel Heitritter, who evacuated his neighborhood in Spencer on Saturday. When the water in his home reached his shin, he sent a boat to pick him up, his wife and cat, he said. The Upper Midwest could see up to 6 inches of rain through Sunday, after about 10 inches of rain already fell in the past 48 hours.

• The governor of Iowa issues a disaster proclamation: On Saturday, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for 21 northwest Iowa counties and directed all available state resources to assist Rock Valley and other communities in response to “catastrophic flooding.” There is a level 3 risk of 4 for excessive rainfall in southern Wisconsin and northeastern Iowa.

• People rescued from rising waters in South Dakota: Nine people were rescued from rising waters caused by heavy rainfall in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, according to City Emergency Manager Regan Smith. According to Smith, emergency crews responded to five stranded drivers, 30 vehicles stuck in water, 10 calls about water problems and 75 traffic accidents. Mayor Paul TenHaken of the city of Sioux Falls signed an emergency declaration on Saturday in response to the flooding. Cumulative precipitation amounts for the Sioux Falls region have ranged from 2.5 to 8 inches over the past 72 hours, TenHaken said.

• Emergency flood operations prepared in Minnesota: Parts of Minnesota were under flood warnings Saturday night, prompting Governor Tim Walz to declare a state of emergency. It authorizes the Minnesota National Guard to “be available to provide support for emergency flood operations as areas across the state experience extreme flooding conditions,” the governor’s office said. About 14 to 18 inches of rain fell in some areas, where water has reached “uncontrollable” levels. “Residents have been evacuated and the flooding has already caused significant damage,” the governor’s office said. “The intense rain has had catastrophic consequences. Flooding leaves entire communities inundated, causing severe property damage and numerous road closures,” Walz said in a statement.

• New Mexico residents return home after wildfire: The Salt and South Fork fires in New Mexico have burned more than 24,200 acres. The South Fork Fire was 26% contained and the Salt Fire 7% contained as of Saturday evening. Ruidoso residents will be allowed to return to their homes on Monday and officials advised them to bring at least a week’s worth of food and drinking water as supermarkets are not operating at full capacity. While rainfall in the area can help extinguish the fire, it can also cause flooding, as well as mud and debris flows in the burn scars. Meanwhile, the FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading them to the cause of the wildfires.

Flood risk in northern New England on Sunday

Showers and thunderstorms are forecast from New England through the Great Lakes and into the Upper Mississippi Valley this weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

Parts of the Great Lakes and Mississippi Valley were expected to be hit by heavy rainfall Saturday night, with a level 2 or 4 risk of excessive rainfall in the region. A Level 2 of 5 risk of severe weather was also issued as some damaging winds and a few tornadoes are possible.

Storms are possible across New England and southwest through the Mid-Atlantic, Ohio Valley and Tennessee Valley on Sunday, according to the weather service. Precipitation in northern New England brings a small risk of heavy rain and scattered flash flooding.

Scattered damaging winds and a few tornadoes are likely across parts of the Northeast, especially Sunday afternoon, according to the Storm Prediction Center. Parts of central New England, including much of New Hampshire and Vermont, could experience damaging winds and some tornadoes.

“Severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are likely in parts of the Northeast,” the weather service said.

Elsewhere, monsoon-like conditions could also lead to isolated flash flooding in the Four Corners region, the weather service said.