Further storms hit the Midwest. by Rob McElwee
Two days after thunderstorms lashed the US Midwest, another line of storms rolled through the region on Friday, in the latest round of fierce weather. These violent storms smashed houses, deluged neighbourhoods and left thousands without power. The sequences began on Thursday, causing flash floods across Missouri and Minnesota, and later hail storms. High winds delayed over 200 flights at Chicago’s O’Hare airport, gusting up of 72 mph (116kph) in some places.
Over 175 incidents of severe weather were reported on Friday, with weather warnings for the cities of Detroit and Indianapolis. Heavy rain continues across the northern Plains and upper Midwest, with the storms forecast to persist until the start of next week. The rain on Thursday gave Houghton in Michigan its wettest June day on record, with 72mm (2.84 inches) being recorded.
Whilst a number of counties across the Midwest remain on flood alert, the north east of the country is sweltering under blistering heat and high humidity.