Millions in US facing heatwave without power after storms

The storms were followed by roasting heat and with temperatures reaching
record levels in some parts of the country, the lack of electricity will
mean homes will not be able to use air conditioning units.

Twenty states are under excessive heat warnings or heat advisories, with the
National Weather Service warning that temperatures above 100F (38C), which
are expected in many parts of the country this week, could make it dangerous
for the frail and the very young to go outside.

“It is very unsafe outdoors for those susceptible to these extreme
conditions,” a spokesman said.

Already two boys, aged three and five, have died in Tennessee, with heat
exhaustion being suggested as a possible cause, according to The Associated
Press.

The boys had been playing outside in 105-degree Fahrenheit (41-degree Celsius)
heat shortly before they were taken to hospital. Family members said heat
was to blame.

Barack Obama has already telephoned the governors of those states who have
declared a state of emergency.

The president authorised the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate
all disaster relief efforts in storm-ravaged Ohio, which is a key swing
state in the forthcoming election.

John Kasich, governor of Ohio, said: “I’m very concerned with the
problems created by the combination of power outages and severe heat.”
The storms itself claimed at least 10 victims.

Last summer was the hottest on record for many US states, but this year is
already on course to be even hotter.

Heat records for June were broken on Friday in Washington, Nashville in
Tennessee, Louisville in Kentucky and Atlanta. The temperature hit at least
104F (40C) in all four cities, according to the National Weather Service.

Those states with an excessive heat warning include South Carolina where heat
index temperatures could reach 120F (48C), according to the National Weather
Service.

In Virginia, authorities opened 90 air-conditioned shelters where residents
could go to escape the heat.

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