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

Key Points:

• Deadly storms and a severe heat wave disrupted America's 250th Independence Day celebrations, causing widespread power outages affecting over 500,000 utility customers, particularly in Pennsylvania and Michigan.
• The Northeast experienced record high temperatures and heavy thunderstorms, leading to flash flood warnings 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 extreme heat contributed to at least 25 suspected heat-related deaths in New Jersey, with Atlantic City recording its highest July temperature ever at 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
• A tragic boating accident on Geneva Lake, Wisconsin, caused by a sudden severe storm, resulted in the deaths of three children; all children on board were wearing life jackets, and six adults and one child were rescued.