Severe flooding from torrential rain has struck parts of the Midwest, prompting evacuations and compounding the challenges faced by a region already grappling with an oppressive heat wave. Over the weekend, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, experienced violent floodwaters, while in Iowa, officials reported water levels surpassing records set in 1993.

The flooding has resulted in significant infrastructure damage, including the collapse of a railroad bridge that connects Iowa and South Dakota. South Dakota's governor has indicated that recovery will be a lengthy process, highlighting the extensive damage to roads and bridges across the region. The loss of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad bridge, a critical route for transporting commodities and materials, is expected to have lasting impacts on the area's economy and logistics for months to come.