Heat and severe storms damper July Fourth celebrations, leave thousands without power

Record-setting heat and severe storms disrupted July Fourth celebrations across the Northeast, Midwest, and Deep South. Authorities suspect the extreme temperatures contributed to 22 deaths. In the Midwest, thunderstorms caused downed trees and ruptured power lines, leaving thousands without electricity and making transportation treacherous. These weather events, ranging from record highs to intense storms, suppressed festivities and created dangerous conditions for millions of Americans from the East Coast to the Midwest regions.