Storms, tornadoes, strong winds, hail, heavy rain and floods hit across central parts of USA yesterday, Tuesday 1 July 2014.
Hundreds of thousands were left without power in parts of Illinois and Michigan. Widespread damage was caused by hail and strong winds. Two people were killed in the storms in Indiana and two have died in Iowa.
While Indiana, Michigan and Nebraska saw some of the worst of the high winds and tornadoes, Missouri, Illinois and Iowa were hit by the worst of the flooding. Flooding and severe weather was also recorded in North and South Dakota.
Floods
More than 3 inches of rain fell over parts of eastern Iowa and northern Illinois between late Monday 01 July and early Tuesday 02 July.
There are now major concerns in Iowa, Illinois and Missouri about the levels of rivers after the recent heavy rainfall which followed one of the wettest Junes on record in areas upstream, such as Minnesota. By Friday, the Mississippi River is expected to be at flood stage in several areas of Iowa, Illinois and Missouri.
Illinois Floods
Flooding closed parts of the busy Kennedy Expressway in Chicago yesterday, causing traffic chaos for many, especially those heading to or from O’Hare International Airport. Over 200 flight were cancelled because of the storm.
Got stuck in traffic, then hopped on the L to O'Hare & here's what made me miss my flight. #flood
Yes, that's a road pic.twitter.com/XIBalAbL7q
— Kevin Jensen (@BHSCoachJensen) July 1, 2014
Rainfall totals:
- 57.7 mm / 2.27 inches of rain fell over the last 24 hours at Chicago O’Hare
- 87.9 mm / 3.4 inches fell in Moline, Illinois during the same period
Flooding in East Moline, Rock Island County, Illinois, forced some residents to evacuate their homes.
Watertown flooding in East Moline. The latest at 11 on #WQAD at 11. #EastMoline pic.twitter.com/qsBnfe6ii0
— John David (@JohnDavidWQAD) July 1, 2014
Iowa Floods
Cedar Rapids saw Heavy rain 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) on Sunday, prior to yesterday’s storm. A 17 year old boy drowned in flood water in Cedar Rapids, Iowa yesterday, Tuesday 1 July 2014.
Levels of the Cedar River are high, although they are expected to drop quicker than levels of the Mississippi.
Missouri Floods
Levels of the Mississippi are rising fast across Missouri now. The latest heavy rainfall from yesterday’s storm will add to the problems many communities along the Mississippi were already facing. Levels of the river have been steadily increasing after the massive rainfall seen last month further upstream in Minnesota.
