Floods and extreme heat have caused chaos in the Midwest, forcing evacuations and rescues in Iowa and South Dakota. The region has been hit with heavy rain for weeks, leading to record-breaking flooding in some areas.
In Rock Valley, Iowa, a town of about 4,200 residents, floodwaters have contaminated the city's wells and forced people out of their homes. Mayor Kevin Van Otterloo reported that 4 inches of rain fell in just an hour and a half. The governor declared a disaster for 21 counties in northern Iowa due to the flooding.
Parts of Hawarden, Iowa, with about 2,000 residents were also evacuated due to flooding. In neighboring South Dakota, Governor Kristi Noem warned that the worst flooding was expected on Monday and Tuesday as water coursed downstream into rivers. The Big Sioux River in South Dakota was expected to reach record levels.
The Midwest floods come as millions across the country are dealing with a prolonged heatwave. Temperatures have been above normal for several days, leading to increased hospital visits due to heat-related illnesses in cities such as Philadelphia, Detroit, and New York state. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that excessive heat contributed to more than 2,300 deaths.
The flooding in Rock Valley forced residents out of their homes with no clean water. City officials reported that the wells were contaminated by floodwaters. Mayor Van Otterloo said a state helicopter was on its way to help but was called off when boats were able to reach stranded residents.
The flooding in Rock Valley is just one example of the devastation caused by heavy rain and flooding in the Midwest. In neighboring Nebraska, Governor Jim Pillen authorized a military helicopter for search and rescue operations. The National Weather Service warned that above-normal temperatures were expected to cover a large portion of the country even into next week.
The floods in Rock Valley and Hawarden are not isolated incidents. Flood warnings were in place for rivers in parts of Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Some of the warnings were scheduled to end later on Sunday; others were in effect until further notice.
The flooding and heatwave have caused widespread damage across the Midwest. In Rock Valley alone, emergency services rescued nine people from floodwaters. Sioux City Fire Rescue helped evacuate people from Rock Valley, while neighboring Nebraska authorized a military helicopter for search and rescue operations.
The flooding in the Midwest is just one example of the extreme weather events that have been occurring around the world due to climate change. Fossil fuels continue to contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating the effects of climate change. The global climate crisis is a pressing issue that requires urgent action from governments and individuals alike.
