US Midwest hit by flooding

Severe flooding has swamped the US Midwest, forcing people to leave their homes, businesses to close and highways to shut down. Iowa is one of the states hardest hit by heavy rain. It has also taken a battering from deadly tornadoes. The bill to repair storm and water damage will run to hundreds of millions of euros, according to the state’s governor. A tornado hit a Scout camp in Iowa leaving four boys dead.

In recent weeks, many other people have perished as extreme weather hit several states. Kansas, Nebraska and Minnesota were all struck by twisters. The National Guard has been mobilised as well as relief groups like the American Red Cross. And, with forecasts of more rain, people have been preparing for a fresh deluge with frantic sandbagging. Agriculture has also been badly hit, and there is no sign of a significant change in the wet weather pattern.

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