Millions brace for flooding after deadly heat, storms damper July 4th celebrations

Key Points:

• Deadly storms and a heat wave disrupted America's 250th birthday celebrations, causing widespread power outages affecting over 501,000 utility customers, especially in Pennsylvania and Michigan.
• The Northeast faced record-high temperatures and severe thunderstorms, leading to flash flood watches for 34 million people, with cities like Philadelphia and New York expecting up to four inches of rain.
• Severe weather forced cancellations and delays of Fourth of July fireworks and events in multiple cities, including Washington, D.C., where thousands were temporarily evacuated from the National Mall during the Freedom 250 celebrations.
• The heat wave contributed to at least 25 suspected heat-related deaths in New Jersey and record-breaking temperatures, such as 105 degrees in Atlantic City and an all-time warm low of 84 degrees in Washington, D.C.
• A sudden storm on Geneva Lake, Wisconsin, caused a recreational boat to capsize, resulting in the deaths of three children and the rescue of six adults and one child; all children were reportedly wearing life jackets.