Summary
Here’s a recap of today’s developments:
The US is bracing for more extreme weather from coast to coast, with a heatwave hitting California, tornadoes in the midwest and the east expecting more rain as it continues to reel from historic flooding.
Across the country, more than a third of Americans were under extreme heat advisories, watches and warnings as the heatwave baking the nation spread further into California.
Residents of Vermont, still suffering from an onslaught of dangerous weather in recent days, are preparing for another round of severe storms in the area beginning as early as Thursday night, which could cause hail, more flash floods and even a tornado.
Vermont governor Phil Scott said the state had confirmed its first fatality related to the devastating floods earlier this week. Stephen Davoll, 63, of Barre City, Vermont, died on Wednesday as a result of a drowning accident in his flooded home, according to state authorities.
Joe Biden has approved a request from Vermont governor, Phil Scott, for a major disaster declaration following the devastating floods that hit the state earlier this week. The major disaster declaration unlocks federal disaster funds to assist individuals and communities recover from the devastating floods earlier this week. Biden issued an emergency declaration for Vermont earlier in the week, enabling federal disaster relief to reach the state.
Temperatures in the famously sizzling Death Valley national park are predicted to equal or even break modern records this weekend – but that hasn’t stopped the tourists from showing up.
Wildfires burning in Canada have brought a new round of smoke to the US, with air quality alerts issued for communities in the US upper midwest.
Updated
The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado hit Mansfield, Arkansas, on Friday morning.
The tornado hit the south side of the town and there were no serious injuries reported, KHBS reported.
Damage from the Mansfield EF1 tornado. #ARwx https://t.co/sIrKmQOccO pic.twitter.com/KJy4mNejXB
— Dan Skoff (@weatherdan) July 14, 2023
Updated
With extreme heat in the forecast for Las Vegas, Nevada’s electricity company said customers will be able to keep air conditioners running even though demand for power could reach an all-time high.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an excessive heat warning across Nevada, with residents of Las Vegas urged to avoid the outdoors between 9am and 6pm and temperatures expected to reach highs of 117F on Sunday.
Las Vegas may see 3 consecutive days with a high of 115°+ and a low of 90°+. This has only happened once before (2005). #nvwx #vegasweather https://t.co/zFZ70qWWoK
— NWS Las Vegas (@NWSVegas) July 14, 2023
NV Energy officials said customers will not need to cut back on power use this year. Last September, the company asked people to reduce power use amid a heatwave.
Ryan Atkins, NV Energy’s vice-president of resource optimization, said the company has additional capacity, additional staff, and they aren’t as concerned about the heat in California and the Pacific north-west.
The greatest risk is the limited supply that exists in the western United States, so when there’s extended heat across a large geographic footprint, a lot of states are looking for additional energy supply. When we’re all competing against each other that adds some additional challenges to the situation.
From Fox Weather’s Max Gorden:
“We are fully prepared”
— Max Gorden (@Max_Gorden) July 14, 2023
With extreme heat in the forecast for Las Vegas, @NVEnergy’s Vice President of Resource Optimization Ryan Atkins says that no blackouts are expected and that people don’t need to cut back on their electricity use.@foxweather pic.twitter.com/5SDo53Fs5Y
Updated
Here are images coming through the newswires of cleanup and repair efforts in Vermont following the devastating floods earlier this week.
Additional flash flooding is set to occur in much of New England this weekend, according to Weather Track US.
The Weather Prediction Center has issued a 'Moderate Risk’ warning for today and Sunday, with a potential upgrade of a ‘High Risk’ classification on Sunday.
More significant flash flooding is expected in much of New England this weekend where the WPC has a Moderate Risk for today and Sunday.
— Weather Track US (@weathertrackus) July 14, 2023
An upgrade to a High Risk is possible on Sunday.#uswx #weather #flood pic.twitter.com/YDFkIqmSZ6
Sacramento is expected to see triple digit temperatures this weekend as a heatwave spreads across California.
An excessive heat warning will take place tomorrow from 11am to 11pm for areas below 4500 ft elevation and a heat advisory will be in effect for the same times for areas above 4500 ft elevation, the National Weather Service announced.
An Excessive Heat Warning will be in effect from 11 AM tomorrow 7/15 to 11 PM Sunday 7/16 for areas below 4500 ft elev., & a Heat Advisory will be in effect for the same times for areas above 4500 ft elev.
— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) July 14, 2023
Plan NOW! Know where to get access to proper cooling & hydration!#CAwx pic.twitter.com/RgSQZMjx36
Here are images coming through the newswires of the current heatwave in the southwest:
Following recent floods that swept through the Hudson Valley area in New York, the Hudson Valley chapter of the American Red Cross announced that it will be handing out various clean-up kits and supplies.
The Hudson Valley Chapter is handing out clean-up kits, water and other supplies for area residents impacted by the recent flooding. Distribution sites: Sacred Heart School, 7 Cozzens Ave., and Highland Falls American Legion, 134 Old State Rd. Both sites are in #HighlandFalls. pic.twitter.com/S4V9RBnEgh
— American Red Cross Eastern NY (@RedCrossENY) July 14, 2023
As of Friday morning, the American Red Cross has distributed about 400 clean-up kids and other relief supplies and have served over 430 meals.
Vermont governor Phil Scott has thanked Joe Biden and the Federal Emergency Management Agency after his request for a major disaster declaration for the state was approved.
In a statement, Scott said:
Vermonters are hurting, and federal assistance will be critical as we rebuild and recover. My team is committed to working with federal and local partners to make sure Vermonters get all resources available to them to recover from these catastrophic floods.
In less than 24 hours since my request, @POTUS has signed a Major Disaster Declaration for VT.
— Governor Phil Scott (@GovPhilScott) July 14, 2023
This opens up significant federal assistance for communities and individuals. I want to thank the President and @fema for their incredibly quick work. 1/https://t.co/QDGc9hC0dF
As a result of the declaration, communities affected by the historic flooding can receive at least 75% reimbursement for emergency storm repairs to public infrastructure.
In addition, individuals affected by the disaster will be able to seek reimbursement for necessary expenses and serious needs that cannot be met through insurance or other forms of assistance, such as rental assistance, home repair, home replacement, and lodging.
Individuals who suffered losses in the storm should continue clean up and repairs, taking photos and documenting expenses, Scott said.
The heatwave in California could bring dangerous, record-setting temperatures and risky fire conditions.
In Death Valley, temperatures could match or surpass the 2021 record of 130F. Officials are warning tourists not to venture too deep into the park, or hike after 10am, during what continues to be a popular summer tourist destination.
Across the state’s agricultural Central Valley, triple digit heat could create dangerous conditions for farmworkers and other outdoor laborers. The heat will be especially ganders for elderly people, unhoused people, and other vulnerable populations officials said.
The persistent, dry heat will also increase the chances of wildfire, desiccating vegetation that can fuel runaway blazes, said secretary Wade Crowfoot of the state’s Natural Resources Agency. He said earlier this week:
As we get deeper into the summer and vegetation that grew up during the wet spring dries out, we are seeing an uptick in wildfire activity.
Climate change was“supercharging” heat waves, he said.
After record precipitation this winter, there is also a risk that rivers and waterways will fill with treacherously cold, forceful snowmelt. “There is still snow to melt at the highest elevations, and it really is going to start to melt very fast,” said UCLa climate scientist Daniel Swain during a press briefing.
Be aware that the water will still be icy cold despite how hot the air will be and could be flowing very fast.
The National Weather Service has issued excessive heat warnings across California and throughout the Bay Area and central coast.
An excessive heat warning will be effect from 11am Saturday to 11pm Sunday.
An Excessive Heat Warning will be in effect from 11 AM tomorrow 7/15 to 11 PM Sunday 7/16 for areas below 4500 ft elev., & a Heat Advisory will be in effect for the same times for areas above 4500 ft elev.
— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) July 14, 2023
Plan NOW! Know where to get access to proper cooling & hydration!#CAwx pic.twitter.com/RgSQZMjx36
The death of a 63-year-old man in Barre, Vermont, marks the state’s first death related to recent storms and historic flooding, and the second flood-related death in the US northeast this week.
The Vermont department of health on Thursday confirmed that Stephen Davoll died as a result of a drowning accident in his home on Wednesday.
The office of the chief medical examiner investigated the death, in cooperation with local police, a spokesperson for Vermont emergency management said.
In New York, a woman’s body was found after she was swept away in Fort Montgomery, a small Hudson River community about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of New York City.
The woman was identified as 43-year-old Pamela Nugent, who was killed as she sought higher ground with her dog, authorities said.
In northern India, record monsoon rains have killed more than 100 people, left homes collapsed, roads caved in, gridlocked traffic and forced the closure of schools and colleges, according to an AP report.
At least 88 people were killed, 42 of them in the past five days, and more than 100 were injured in the worst hit-mountainous Himachal Pradesh state, a state government statement said. Cars, buses, bridges and houses were swept away by swirling flood waters.
Nearly 300 people, mostly tourists, were rescued by helicopter after being stranded in the Chandertal area in Himachal Pradesh state since Saturday, the government said.
Nearly 170 houses have collapsed and another 600 were partially damaged by heavy rains and landslides, the state emergency operation center said.
In the Uttar Pradesh state, 12 people have died of rain-related incidents since Wednesday, according to a state government spokesperson.
One person died in New Delhi, while residential areas close to the Jamuna River were flooded, submerging roads, cars and homes, leading to the evacuation of thousands of people from low-lying areas.
Four were killed in the Indian-controlled section of Kashmir, officials said.
Authorities have moved nearly 30,000 people to relief camps and also converted some schools into relief camps in the badly hit areas, according to a statement by the office of New Delhi’s top elected official, Arvind Kejriwal.
India’s weather agency has forecast more heavy rains in northern parts in the coming days.
The National Weather Service warned of an enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms across central and eastern Kansas, western Missouri, and northeastern Oklahoma this afternoon into the evening.
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued across Nebraska and Kansas.
7/14/23: There is an Enhanced Risk (level 3/5) of severe thunderstorms across central/eastern KS, western MO, and northeastern OK this afternoon into the evening. Primary concerns are severe winds (some 75+ mph) and large hail (some 2+ inches in diameter). https://t.co/cpnLqiKL4u pic.twitter.com/jGnDR6BvLP
— NWS Storm Prediction Center (@NWSSPC) July 14, 2023
Updated
Air quality alerts return to US midwest due to wildfires in Canada
Wildfires burning in Canada have brought a new round of smoke to the US, with air quality alerts issued for communities in the US upper midwest.
An air quality alert for the entire state of Minnesota took effect at 8am on Friday and is slated to remain in place through at least 3pm Saturday.
Smoke from wildfires in Alberta and British Columbia will move across the state and get pushed to the ground by a cold air front, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said a statement on Thursday. It added:
This will result in poor air quality. Air quality will gradually improve on Saturday with gradual clearing across Minnesota from north to south. This alert may need to be locally extended depending on how fast the smoke dissipates.
Statewide forecast: July 13 - Green (Good) statewide. July 14 - Orange (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups) statewide. Several hours of Red (Unhealthy for All) will be possible in central MN. An air quality alert is in effect From 8am Friday to 3pm Saturday. pic.twitter.com/9xUKUATx8i
— MN Air Quality Index (@mpca_aqi) July 13, 2023
New York authorities have issued precautionary measures to take when using generators during emergencies.
Those include keeping children away from generators at all times, operating outdoors in a clean, dry area, and properly grounding generators at all times.
Authorities also warned residents to not overload generators with too many appliances and use properly sized extension cords in good condition.
Generators are helpful tools to have during an emergency, but they must be used safely:
— NYS Div. of Homeland Security & Emergency Services (@NYSDHSES) July 14, 2023
✅Never use them in a wet area.
✅Always use them outside & at least 20ft from your property.
✅Keep the exhaust pointed away from your home.
▶️More tips: https://t.co/LLH2RxCD3c pic.twitter.com/6tiQx22tqE
In the US, what is being termed as a one in 1,000 years flooding event has occurred, with a state of emergency called in New York and Vermont.
From Sunday to Tuesday, vast quantities of rain fell across the two states. More than 30 locations in Vermont recorded more than 150mm (5.9 inches) of rain, with Plymouth and Mt Holly recording 230mm and 220mm respectively. At least four bridges are reported to have collapsed in the Plymouth area, leaving some families stranded in their homes. Meanwhile, storms in the state of New York brought more than 175mm of rain in a four-hour period at West Point on Sunday afternoon.
Such large amounts of rainfall led to fluvial flooding as rivers such as the Hudson in New York and the Winooski in Vermont breached their banks. A 43-year-old woman died in the Hudson Valley as flood waters swept her and her dog away.
The Winooski River crested above 6.4 metre (21ft) on Tuesday morning – 1.8 metres above what is usually considered the flooding stage. It was the river’s second highest crest since the great floods in November 1927. The Winooski passes through the stater capital, Montpelier, and as a result of extensive flooding, officials were forced to close the city centre, with many streets underwater. The nearby Wrightsville Dam was a big concern, with the risk of overflowing and spilling into the North Branch River. But the dam stabilised at its maximum capacity, avoiding a potentially catastrophic outcome.
Levels fell below the major flood stage later on Wednesday, allowing water to recede back towards their respective rivers, revealing many roads, residences and businesses that had been damaged or washed away.
In Europe, a heatwave is under way and is expected to continue into next week, with temperatures 5C above the climate average, although they could peak up to 10-15C above in some areas. The heat has already killed a construction worker in the city of Lodi in northern Italy.
Vermont governor Phil Scott said his formal request to President Joe Biden for a major disaster declaration has been approved.
The major disaster declaration unlocks federal disaster funds to assist individuals and communities recover from the devastating floods earlier this week.
On Tuesday, Biden issued an emergency declaration for Vermont, enabling federal disaster relief to reach the state.
This earlier declaration authorized Fema and the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate disaster relief efforts in affected areas across the state, including evacuation and sheltering support.
This latest declaration frees up federal funding to help communities in the recovery phase. Scott, during a briefing on Thursday, told reporters:
The disaster declaration provides federal support for recovery. It’s separate from, and in addition to, the federal emergency declaration the president already signed when he was overseas to help with the initial emergency phase.
Vermont governor confirms one person died in flooding
Vermont governor Phil Scott, speaking at a press briefing on Friday, said the state had confirmed its first fatality related to the devastating floods earlier this week.
Stephen Davoll, 63, of Barre City, Vermont, died on Wednesday as a result of a drowning accident in his flooded home, according to state authorities.
Scott expressed his condolences to the Davoll family and the community in Barre for the “heartbreaking” loss. Local authorities will be actively focusing on recovery work on an individual level within the next 48 hours, he said.
It’s incredibly important to get flooded homes, businesses and public buildings as dry as possible to prevent other outcomes like mould. We’re working on resources to help with that.
He added that the US secretary of transportation, Pete Buttigieg, was due to visit Vermont on Monday to survey infrastructure impacted by the flooding and to discuss how to rebuild and recover.
Scott confirmed that his request to President Biden for a federal major disaster declaration had been approved, adding:
I’m very grateful for the speed of Fema in the White House. It will open up significant federal resources for communities, individuals, businesses [...] In anticipation of these funds, we are working to develop a concrete list of resources to help impacted Vermonters and making sure it’s as easy as possible for Vermonters to access those.
Updated
Biden approves Vermont disaster declaration
Joe Biden has approved a request from Vermont governor, Phil Scott, for a major disaster declaration following the devastating floods that hit the state earlier this week.
Biden has “declared that a major disaster exists in the state of Vermont and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms and flooding”, the White House said in a statement.
The declaration makes federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Chittenden, Lamoille, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and Windsor.
Scott announced during a briefing on Thursday that he had formally submitted a request for a major disaster declaration to help unlock more federal money to help communities hit hardest by the flood damage to recover. He said:
Vermonters have faced incredible loss as a result of this historic and catastrophic flooding event. While we’re still focused primarily on the immediate response, as we transition to the recovery phase, federal assistance will be critical to support families, businesses and infrastructure. With support from Washington, and the inspiring resiliency of Vermonters, we will be able to rebuild and recover.
The declaration request, now approved, asked for funding under the federal Public Assistance and Individual Assistance programs.
The Public Assistance disaster declaration allows communities in declared counties to receive at least 75% reimbursement for storm response and recovery.
The Individual Assistance program assists those impacted by the floods to seek reimbursement for necessary expenses and serious needs that cannot be met through insurance or other forms of assistance.
Updated
'Drained and exhausted': Guardian readers on extreme heat and floods
We spoke to several Guardian readers across the country who shared their experiences of this summer’s severe heat and floods.
Here’s what they had to say:
Keith Daniels, 40, library specialist, Houston, Texas:
“The power usually goes off, then you can’t sleep because it’s too hot. When you go outside it’s even worse.”
Bill Nevins, 75, writer, Black Lake Mountain area, New Mexico:
“Temperatures in Albuquerque right now are over a hundred degrees fahrenheit and holding and rising. The weather pattern usually brings monsoons at this time of year but apparently that isn’t immediately happening so the cooling down isn’t happening.”
Sukey Briggs, 75, southern Sierra Nevada foothills, California:
“Here we’re living with the constant threat of wildfires. We have wildfires almost every year and now we have arsonists. It can be terrifying.”
For more reader responses, click here:
Updated
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued across Nebraska and Kansas.
“Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees,” the National Weather Service said.
Maximum hail size is expected to be an inch while maximum wind gust is set to reach 60 mph.
A severe thunderstorm WATCH has been issued for Nebraska and Kansas through this afternoon for damaging hail and wind #KSwx #NEwx pic.twitter.com/Idrr4HK3Sy
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) July 14, 2023
The National Weather Service in Phoenix has issued a list of precautionary measures to take amid the extreme heat sweeping across the state.
In addition to drinking plenty of fluids, the NWS urged residents to wear sunscreen and reapply frequently, wear light, loose-fitting clothes and take frequent breaks.
Please limit outdoor activities due to the extreme heat! If you have to be outside for any period of time remember to follow these heat safety tips:
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) July 14, 2023
👉Drink plenty of fluids
👉Wear sunscreen and reapply frequently
👉Wear light, loose-fitting clothes
👉Take frequent breaks#azwx pic.twitter.com/AkPQwaLfsd
Death Valley is still attracting visitors, as forecasters say the national park may break heat records amid California’s heatwave.
AP reports that tourists are still visiting Death Valley and challenging themselves to stay in the dry, intense heat.
Death Valley could reach temperatures of 131F today, which would be the hottest temperature ever recorded on earth.
Daniel Jusehus, an active runner visiting from Germany, visited the national park earlier this week and challenged himself to run in the record heat, AP reports.
“I was really noticing, you know, I didn’t feel so hot, but my body was working really hard to cool myself,” said Jusehus to AP.
Updated
California heat puts firefighters on high alert for wildfires
The heat in California is putting firefighters on high alert for wildfires.
Officials have warned that California is already navigating an intense wildfire season due to dry, hot conditions, Associated Press reported.
Several wildfires have already erupted this week, said Wade Crowfoot, secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, during a media briefing, AP reported.
Here is more on potential wildfires from CBS Mornings:
A relentless heat wave is putting California firefighters on high alert — as the extreme heat can lead to more wildfires.
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) July 14, 2023
This weekend, desert areas in the West are expected to reach a scorching 120°F. https://t.co/Bx75PawVLY pic.twitter.com/tig7utI4r4
Updated
Extreme heat continues to impact swaths of the country, from California to Florida.
Forecasters have pointed out that California’s actual temperature is similar to Florida’s heat index – what the temperature feels like.
California’s actual temperature is above 100F in much of the state: 102F in Sacramento and Bakersfield; 104F in Fresno; and 110F in Redding.
Meanwhile, the heat index in many Florida cities is above 100F, peaking at 105F in Naples.
The similarities are due to a lack of moisture in California, causing dry heat.
From meteorologist Alex Wallace:
1/We're ending the week with a dry heat vs. moist heat battle!
— Alex Wallace (@TWCAlexWallace) July 14, 2023
Thanks to the moisture difference, Central CA actual high temps will be similar to FL Heat Index (feels like) temps!#QOTD @ColleenWeather (welcome back!) want to know...👇 pic.twitter.com/n7zKgbsxKQ
Updated
Heatwave intensifies and spreads
Good morning and welcome to the Guardian’s coverage of extreme weather.
The dangerous heatwave that has affected hundreds of millions in the US is set to intensify, especially in the western US.
More than 100 million people are under heat warnings, as the heat dome spreads to California and other areas, CNN reports. California is forecasted to have its first heatwave of the year, as Texas, Florida and Arizona are still navigating extreme temperatures. California’s Death Valley could reach the hottest recorded temperature ever on Earth, NBC Bay Area reports, breaking previous records.
Parts of Mississippi are experiencing flooding after intense rain. At least six people were rescued after flooding hit central Mississippi, impacting roads, homes, and businesses. Louisville Mayor Will Hill declared a state of emergency on Thursday and urged people not to drive during the storm.
Cleanup efforts are still underway in Vermont after historic flooding. At least one Vermont man died after drowning in his home, Associated Press reported.
Updated
