Summary
Here’s a recap of today’s developments:
Authorities in Vermont have confirmed that one person was killed during this week’s flooding. Stephen Davoll, 63, from Barre City, died on Wednesday as a result of a drowning accident in his home, the Vermont department of health said. Davoll is the first confirmed fatality in the state related to this week’s storms and flooding.
Vermont’s governor, Phil Scott, said he is seeking an additional major disaster declaration from the White House. If approved, the declaration could open up the state to receive additional federal disaster relief funds. Strong thunderstorms were expected to move into parts of the state by Thursday night, which could cause more flash flooding.
Extreme tropical downpours and severe thunderstorms will return to the US north-east from late this week into early next week, according to meteorologists. There will be a potential for life-threatening and highly disruptive flooding in areas recently affected by flooding, as well as in areas that have not seen flooding yet, AccuWeather meteorologists warned.
A heat dome over California is expected to bring triple-digit temperatures and heightened fire danger. All but California’s coastal regions will be facing extreme temperatures. In the agricultural Central Valley, the towns of Bakersfield, Fresno and Merced could see temperatures of up to 109F (43C) on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures for some parts of the valley could reach up to 117F.
Florida will see more sunshine than ever as it experiences record-breaking temperatures as the marine heatwave persists. South Florida will be most affected by the hot weather. The National Weather Service issued alerts for parts of the area into late Thursday.
The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for parts of Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. It also said isolated severe thunderstorms are expected to develop in parts of Oklahoma, with a risk for very large hail and damaging wind gusts.
A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Colorado and Kansas, the National Weather Service said.
Last month was the hottest June globally on record on both land and sea, scientists have said. The average global surface (land and ocean) temperature in June was 1.89F above average, 0.23F warmer than the previous record set in June 2020, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in its monthly global climate report.
Mild El Niño climatic conditions brewing in the Pacific Ocean will strengthen throughout the year, with an outside chance of a record-breaking event that will further turbocharge already sweltering temperatures around the globe, scientists have forecast.
Swaths of the US are baking under record-breaking heat, yet some lawmakers are still attempting to block any spending to fight the climate crisis, advocates say.
Updated
First fatality confirmed in Vermont flooding
Authorities in Vermont have confirmed that one person was killed during this week’s flooding.
Stephen Davoll, 63, from Barre City, died on Wednesday as a result of a drowning accident in his home, the Vermont department of health said.
The state’s office of the chief medical examiner and the Barre police department investigated the death, the agency said.
Davoll is the first confirmed fatality in the state related to this week’s storms and flooding. More than 200 rescues and 100 evacuations have taken place this week as a result of the extreme weather.
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