Severe weather events have recently impacted various regions across the United States, including the Midwest, Southeast, and Southwest, leading to significant flooding, heatwaves, and storms.

In the Midwest, a powerful storm system brought blizzard conditions to Kansas and Nebraska, resulting in the closure of interstates and widespread power outages. Wind gusts up to 80 mph knocked out power across Kansas and Nebraska, leaving nearly 50,000 customers without electricity in Nebraska as of Thursday morning. The snow also spread into Wisconsin and Michigan, where almost a foot of new snowfall was reported in some areas. Parts of Iowa saw some of the heaviest snow, with Lakota receiving over 14 inches by Wednesday evening.

In the Southeast, severe thunderstorms erupted across the lower Mississippi Valley, with the threat of strong storms shifting to the Southeast and parts of Florida. Rain and a few thunderstorms were ongoing from the western Carolinas down to the Florida Panhandle, triggered by a cold front associated with the ongoing deadly winter storm. The front continued to slide east through the day, with more thunderstorms expected to develop along and ahead of it.

The Southwest faced devastating flash floods, particularly in New Mexico. In Ruidoso, a village in New Mexico, a record-breaking flash flood swept through the area, resulting in the deaths of a man and two children. The flooding left residents stunned as they witnessed a house being swept away by rushing waters.

Additionally, dangerous heat continues to affect parts of the U.S., with millions experiencing feels-like temperatures reaching into the 90s and 100s from the Southeast to the Midwest. The extreme heat and pollution are also worsening air quality, triggering air quality alerts for New York and parts of the upper Midwest.

These severe weather events underscore the importance of staying informed and prepared for rapidly changing conditions. Residents in affected areas are advised to monitor local weather updates and heed any warnings or advisories issued by authorities.