Floodwaters and a heatwave are wreaking havoc across the Midwest, with Iowa and South Dakota declaring states of emergency, numerous evacuations, and record floods forcing thousands from their homes.

As parts of the Midwest grapple with relentless flooding and a dangerous heatwave, local and state officials in Iowa and South Dakota have declared emergencies in affected areas. Weeks of heavy rainfall have led to record-breaking floods, evacuation orders, and extensive damage to infrastructure in states like Iowa, South Dakota, and Minnesota. Concurrently, a severe heatwave is sweeping across much of the country, putting millions under heat warnings and advisories, exacerbating the strain on emergency services already stretched thin by the flooding.

Gov. Kim Reynolds has declared a disaster for 21 counties in northern Iowa, as floodwaters forced people out of their homes following weeks of rain. In the town of Spencer, flooding exceeded records set in 1953, leading authorities to impose a curfew. Power cuts at wastewater treatment plants in Hawarden and Spencer have hampered local services, making response efforts more challenging.

In neighboring South Dakota, Gov. Kristi Noem declared an emergency in the southeastern part of the state. The heavy rainfall and resultant flooding have closed several highways and county roads, including parts of Interstate 29 south of Sioux Falls. Tragically, one person has been confirmed dead due to the flooding. Residents in Dakota Dunes are under a voluntary evacuation as the Missouri and Big Sioux rivers are expected to crest.

Minnesota is also facing severe flooding issues, with numerous state highways and county roads in the southern part of the state closed due to high water levels. The town of Windom experienced the Des Moines River crest at a record level. In Waterville, National Guard troops were expected to assist residents in coping with the rising floodwaters.

Eric Tigges from Clay County's emergency management reported that 13 rivers in northwest Iowa have flooded, causing entire neighborhoods to be evacuated. The National Weather Service has predicted expanded flooding in northern Iowa as high water continues to move downstream, even though only small chances of rain are forecasted.

Amid the flooding, much of the United States is enduring a suffocating heatwave. The National Weather Service reported that roughly 15 million people are under a heat warning, and an additional 90 million are under a heat advisory. Temperatures in cities like Washington, D.C., Richmond, Philadelphia, Newark, Columbus, and Detroit are expected to reach the high 90s. The Central Valley of California is preparing for temperatures as high as 106°F (41.1°C).

The heatwave has severely impacted health services, with New York state seeing heat-related hospital visits spike 500% higher than average for June. The power grid is also under stress; in southeastern Michigan, 7,400 customers remain without power due to storm-related outages.

Gov. Kim Reynolds noted that National Guard troops are engaged in water rescues and are transporting necessary medications lost due to the flooding. She also highlighted that businesses, hospitals, and other care facilities have been evacuated, and several cities are without power and potable water.

In South Dakota, the National Weather Service warned of minor to moderate flooding along the Missouri River. While major impacts are not anticipated if the levees hold, the situation remains precarious as high water levels persist.

Flash flood warnings and heavy rain in New Mexico have also led to some evacuations, adding to the strain on emergency services already battling extreme conditions.

The National Weather Service has issued warnings that the worst heat wave conditions will shift to the southeast and southern Plains by Monday. This development is anticipated to bring more regions into the extreme weather scenario, complicating recovery and rescue efforts in flood-affected areas.