Levee break leads to urgent evacuations in flooded Iowa town amidst US heat wave

Floodwaters have caused havoc in parts of Iowa, with residents forced out of their homes due to weeks of heavy rain. The situation escalated in Rock Valley, Iowa, where a levee break led to a sudden rise in water levels, prompting a frantic evacuation in the dark of night. The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Emergency, and tornado sirens were used to alert residents to the urgent flooding situation. In response to the flooding crisis, emergency services in Iowa have been conducting water rescues, with reports of people being trapped in vehicles swept away by the rising waters. Power outages have affected parts of Rock Valley, and the water and sewer treatment plant had to shut down due to the inundation. Nearby Lyon County also experienced flooding, which was linked to a train derailment near Alvord. The extreme weather conditions were not limited to Iowa, as other parts of the United States faced challenges as well. High temperatures persisted, with a heat index of around 100 Fahrenheit in Detroit and temperatures reaching as high as 106 Fahrenheit in California's Central Valley. Power outages affected thousands of homes and businesses in Sacramento, while flooding was reported in southeastern South Dakota and northwestern Iowa. Despite the ongoing weather challenges, relief was anticipated in the eastern U.S. by early in the week, although above-normal temperatures were expected to persist in many areas. The National Weather Service warned of potential expanded flooding in northern Iowa as high water levels moved downstream on several rivers. The situation remained dynamic, with officials urging residents to prepare for potential evacuations and bring essential supplies like food and water.