This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-47613876

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Two dead in record flooding in US Midwestern states Three dead in record flooding in US Midwestern states
(32 minutes later)
Thawing snowpack and heavy rains have brought historically high flooding to several Midwestern states and have led to thousands of evacuations.Thawing snowpack and heavy rains have brought historically high flooding to several Midwestern states and have led to thousands of evacuations.
Two people have died, including one man who officials say was trying to rescue strangers from freezing flood waters. Three people have died, including a man who officials say was trying to rescue strangers from freezing flood waters.
Record-breaking flooding in at least five states has led to emergency declarations. Several communities have been cut off from outside help.Record-breaking flooding in at least five states has led to emergency declarations. Several communities have been cut off from outside help.
It follows a powerful winter storm that slammed the US last week.It follows a powerful winter storm that slammed the US last week.
A hurricane-like weather phenomenon that scientists call a "bomb cyclone" hit the western Rocky Mountains and US Central Plains last week, showering snow and freezing rains on millions of Americans in Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota and South Dakota.A hurricane-like weather phenomenon that scientists call a "bomb cyclone" hit the western Rocky Mountains and US Central Plains last week, showering snow and freezing rains on millions of Americans in Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota and South Dakota.
In a statement, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers explained that "warm temperatures and rain the last few days have caused much of the heavy snowpack and ice to melt resulting in flooding, ice jams, and rivers and creeks to rise".In a statement, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers explained that "warm temperatures and rain the last few days have caused much of the heavy snowpack and ice to melt resulting in flooding, ice jams, and rivers and creeks to rise".
The Missouri River has reached record high levels in several locations, including in Iowa and Nebraska, which have been hit hardest by the flooding.The Missouri River has reached record high levels in several locations, including in Iowa and Nebraska, which have been hit hardest by the flooding.
Residents in the towns of Bartlett and Thurman were ordered to evacuate on Sunday as levees were breached.Residents in the towns of Bartlett and Thurman were ordered to evacuate on Sunday as levees were breached.
Two men in Nebraska have been killed, and two others have been missing for days. Three people have been killed, and two other men have been missing for days.
Aleido Rojas Galan, 52, was swept away in a vehicle in south-western Iowa on Friday while 50-year-old James Wilke was killed in Nebraska when a bridge collapsed as he tried to help motorists. Two other men remain missing. Aleido Rojas Galan, 52, was swept away in a vehicle in south-western Iowa on Friday while 50-year-old James Wilke was killed in Nebraska when a bridge collapsed as he tried to help motorists.
Two other men remain missing.
On Sunday, police in Platte County, Nebraska, confirmed 80-year-old Betty Hamernik died after emergency crews were unable to reach her home in the rapid floodwaters.
Fremont County Emergency Management Director Mike Crecelius told the Associated Press that it was not just the amount of water breaching levees and riverbanks, but also the swiftness of it that has been creating a dangerous hazard.Fremont County Emergency Management Director Mike Crecelius told the Associated Press that it was not just the amount of water breaching levees and riverbanks, but also the swiftness of it that has been creating a dangerous hazard.
"This wasn't a gradual rise," Mr Crecelius said. "It's flowing fast and it's open country - there's nothing there to slow it down.""This wasn't a gradual rise," Mr Crecelius said. "It's flowing fast and it's open country - there's nothing there to slow it down."
On Friday, the Cooper Nuclear Station, a power plant in southern Nebraska, declared an "unusual event" had occurred as the swollen Missouri River threatened the facility.On Friday, the Cooper Nuclear Station, a power plant in southern Nebraska, declared an "unusual event" had occurred as the swollen Missouri River threatened the facility.
The notice led to concerns of a meltdown only 60 miles (100km) south of Omaha.The notice led to concerns of a meltdown only 60 miles (100km) south of Omaha.
But by Monday the plant continued to operate at normal capacity after workers filled sandbags along the river levee.But by Monday the plant continued to operate at normal capacity after workers filled sandbags along the river levee.
The river runoff follows heavy snows in the Rocky Mountains, including in the state of Colorado which has been experiencing a unusual number of avalanches due to "bomb cyclone" conditions.The river runoff follows heavy snows in the Rocky Mountains, including in the state of Colorado which has been experiencing a unusual number of avalanches due to "bomb cyclone" conditions.