Storms cause widespread flooding across Midwest USA by John Hammond
Thunderstorms which have been drenching parts of the Midwest USA over the last two weeks yesterday resulted in several already swollen rivers bursting their banks, causing widespread flooding. Ohio was one of the hardest hit states, with many sections of the Blanchard River rising to more than 7 feet (2.1m) above flood stage level. More than 500 people were forced to evacuate, with officials declaring a state of emergency across 9 of the 21 affected counties.
Earlier in the week remnant rain from tropical storm Erin drenched parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri causing widespread floods, and bringing the death toll from the two storm systems to 22. The damage caused by the heavy rain is now estimated to have reached 10 million dollars and is still rising.
By Wednesday afternoon the rain subsided and the focus shifted towards an expected temperature rise. The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for much of the state as temperatures are predicted to reach the mid 30’s C (95F). Many south-eastern states have been reeling under extreme heat over the last two weeks with the mercury hitting 41C (105F) in Memphis last Thursday.
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