The US is marking Independence Day with record-breaking heat and widespread power cuts
ABC News reports this
Almost a million homes are without power
According to the PowerOutage service, the highest number of power cuts was recorded in the Midwestern and Northeastern states of the US, which have been hit by severe weather and extreme heat.
The number of homes without power fluctuates throughout the day, but hundreds of thousands of households remain without electricity, and the total number of people affected by the outages is significantly higher.
Parades cancelled and transport timetables altered due to the heat
In Washington, the traditional Independence Day parade has been cancelled due to extreme heat warnings. According to weather forecasts, the heat index could reach 43–46°C.
Organisers have also postponed the opening of the Great American State Fair and the FIFA fan zone on the National Mall by two hours.
Due to the high temperatures, the rail company Amtrak has cancelled a number of services, citing the need to ensure the safety of passengers and staff.
The heatwave has affected a large part of the country
Abnormally high temperatures are being recorded in many regions of the US. A festive parade in Philadelphia has already been cancelled due to the heat.
Forecasters warn that dangerous heat will persist in a number of states in the near future, whilst some areas may again be hit by severe thunderstorms and bad weather.
Follow us on our Telegram channel
