The National Weather Service reported today, Sunday, that heat warnings have been issued for nearly a quarter of the population in the United States, while the New England region, which has already experienced heavy rainfall, prepares for more.
The extreme heat warnings cover vast areas stretching from the Pacific Northwest to California, across the Southwest, extending to the Deep South, and even Florida.
Temperatures are expected to exceed 46 degrees Celsius in parts of the Southern California desert, as well as in Arizona and Nevada.
The Weather Service indicated that the severe rise in temperatures prompted authorities to issue warnings for more than 80 million people.
At the same time, the Weather Service reported that storms associated with heavy rain will sweep through parts of New England and the Mid-Atlantic region. Areas at risk include major cities such as New York, Boston, and Philadelphia.
In Pennsylvania, police stated in a written announcement that at least three people were swept away by floodwaters on Saturday in a town in the state. Rescue workers reported today, Sunday, that they are searching for three or four additional individuals in the area.
