No end in sight for historic Midwest flooding

Strong storms with powerful winds that have brought historic flooding to the Midwest will continue their assault across the region deep into next month, AccuWeather forecasters warn.

Flood waters are receding in some rivers across battered areas of Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota and Nebraska. But additional rounds of storms, including quick-hitting, powerful derechos, will push already record-high river levels to new extremes for the next couple weeks at least. The storms will continue to move east to southeast along the northern edge of a large heat dome in the southern U.S., forecasters say.

In the short term, severe thunderstorms and possible tornadoes will extend from New Mexico to North Dakota by late Thursday or Friday, AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said. Parts of Colorado, Montana and North Dakota can expect "numerous severe thunderstorms, with some packing wind gusts of 60-70 mph, large hail and perhaps a few tornadoes," Buckingham said.

Developments:

∎ Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz thanked the efforts of the National Guard and all state residents: "When faced with crisis, we come together. Minnesotans are stepping up in big and small ways to keep their neighbors safe."

∎ The National Weather Service changed its flooding forecast for the Mississippi River at Rock Island in Davenport, Iowa, to "major severity" on Thursday afternoon. The flooding could effect several counties downriver on the Iowa-Illinois border.

∎ "Monsoon-like conditions" will persist over the Four Corners region that includes parts of Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico, the National Weather Service said.

∎ Early summer continues to bring the heat. Higher humidity over portions of Texas and Oklahoma have prompted heat advisories from the weather service, which warned that heat index values could reach 110 degrees.

After the floods, watch out for scammers

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley warned residents affected by flooding to be wary of flood-related scams involving fraudulent home repairs and charity appeals. Jackley encouraged flood victims to work with contractors and charities that they know. He urged residents not to pay for an entire job upfront, to withhold the final payment until the work is satisfactorily completed, and to donate to local charities.

“These are the times when scam artists prey on those dealing with natural disasters,” Jackley said. “They will try and take advantage of South Dakotans’ generosity and say anything to convince you to give them money.”

− Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Strong storms blast Northeast

More than 160,000 homes and businessess in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania remained without power Thursday after a wall of storms slammed the area Wednesday. Trees and powerlines were toppled and some homes were damaged. The National Weather Service said apparent tornadoes moved through Western Pennsylvania and that crews were going out Thursday to confirm the reports and determine how powerful any tornadoes were. In Derry Township, seven people were trapped in four vehicles amid toppled tree limbs and power lines. 

"The poles were on the road, and the wires were entangled around the cars," Bradenville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Mark Piantine told KDKA. "If they would have stepped out and the wires were hot, they would have been killed."

Historic Midwest floods swamp rivers;it's so hot Lincoln melted

Iowa Gov. Reynolds touring devastation

Gov. Kim Reynolds and Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell will be touring northwest Iowa on Thursday to survey flood damage. One stop is Rock Valley, where some residents needed rescue boats to evacuate. They will also check in on the town of Spencer, where Tyson's Foods was distributing free meals Thursday. Spencer was essentially split in half by floodwaters from the Little Sioux River.

“The biggest need going forward, we know, is housing,” Reynolds said during a tour of Hawarden this week. "We don’t have five years to get homes set up. We need to do it quickly."

Sioux Falls residents answer call for flooded Iowa city

Tacos de Gringo, a food truck in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, traveled 60 miles to Rock Valley, Iowa, this week to distribute free meals, drinks, hygiene products and other essentials donated by the Sioux Falls community to those affected by flooding from last week’s record-breaking rainfall. When truck owners Ken and Calain Leonard heard of the tragic flooding in Iowa, they immediately wanted to help. They posted a request on Facebook asking the Sioux Falls community to donate food products and items for the hygiene bags. The community came through with pork, chicken and beef to make meals, hygiene kit items, blankets, snacks and water and drinks.

"Thank you for everyone who’s donated and thank GOD for making it possible for us to be of assistance,” the Leonards said on social media. “We are PROUD of our community for its love and support for our neighbors.”

− Vanessa Carlson Bender, Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Minnesota family loses home to floodwaters, nearby store threatened

A Minnesota family whose home was washed away by floodwaters near the Rapidan Dam is vowing to continue operating their nearby store. Store owners and siblings Jenny Barnes and David Hruska grew up in the house, and its destruction within minutes amid the rushing waters of the Blue Earth River near Mankato on Tuesday was captured on a viral video. The family also operates the nearby Dam Store.

"We don’t know what will happen. Minute by minute has been playing out right in front of our eyes and it’s hard to experience," the family said in a Facebook post late Wednesday. But the post added that "the Dam Store has not sold its last burger or sold its last slice of pie. When it is safe for all, We Will Be Open in some way or shape."