Deadly Heat Wave Affects Third of U.S. Population

Deadly storms pummel mid-Atlantic, knock out power to 3 million customers

A day of record-setting heat spawned deadly storms across Washington metropolitan area, leaving at least 7 people dead, and millions without power.

The storms cut power to about 3 million customers, or an estimated 10 million people, across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and the two Virginias.

West Virginia Gov. Tomblin has declared a state of emergency after storm damage which left more than half a million customers in 27 counties without power.

“The damage from today’s storms is widespread and in many places severe,” Tomblin said.

Record Breaking Heat

More than 20 million people were in areas under excessive heat warnings and almost a third of the population  in areas under heat advisories.

• At least 1,000 high temperature records have been broken across the country in recent days.

• The Washington area on Friday broke a record high temperature set 8 decades ago.  The early afternoon temperature at Washington Reagan National Airport rose to 104 degrees (40ºC) smashing the record 101 degrees set in 1934, NWS reported.

• Norton, Kansas, was the hottest location in the U.S. with 118 degrees (47.8ºC), NCDC reported. Some 22 other locations across the state topped 110 degrees on Thursday.

• Columbia, South Carolina and Nashville, Tennessee reached all-time records of 109 degrees  (42.8ºC) on Friday

• Atlanta, Georgia and Louisville, Kentucky also saw temperature soaring to 104ºF (40ºC)

• In addition to the fatalities caused by wildfires, which were intensified by the heat, at least a dozen people have died directly as a result of the intense heat including 3 children, two in Tennessee and a third in Missouri.

High Temperature Map of the U.S.

More than 1,000 high temperature records have been broken across the country in the last 7 days.

Daily Maximum Heat Index – Forecast

Indiana.  Oppressive heat is churning up storms across central Indiana with the entire region placed under a severe thunderstorm watch.

• Storms knocked out power to at least 100,000 customers.
• A record high temperature of 104 degrees was recorded at Indianapolis International Airport on Thursday, the highest ever in the month of June in the city, a report said.

Earlier, NWS issued Severe Thunderstorm Warnings for the region

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCE DAMAGING WIND IN EXCESS OF 60 MILES PER
HOUR...LARGE HAIL...DEADLY LIGHTNING...AND VERY HEAVY RAIN.

Related Links

• Severe Thunderstorm Warning
• Excessive Heat Warning
• Severe Thunderstorm Watch
• Excessive Heat Watch