More than 50 million individuals in the United States are experiencing extreme heat warnings, while flooding in the Midwest has led to numerous rescues and evacuations.

According to the National Integrated Heat Health Information System, approximately 57.4 million people nationwide were under active extreme heat advisories, watches, and warnings on Monday, a decrease from 123.8 million on Sunday.

“The early onset of intense heat in the summer results in heightened heat-related stress, especially for those outdoors and without reliable air conditioning,” the National Weather Service reported.

The combination of extreme heat and devastating flooding highlights the increasing risks posed by climate change, which is exacerbating the frequency and severity of such weather events.

The governor of South Dakota reported at least one fatality due to flooding over the weekend. In Iowa, Governor Kim Reynolds noted that over 1,000 evacuated individuals spent the night in shelters.

“Businesses are closed. Main streets are affected,” Reynolds stated. “Hospitals, nursing homes, and other care facilities have been evacuated. Some cities lack power and drinkable water.”

Officials in various cities, including Philadelphia, warned over the weekend that heat indices might exceed 105 degrees Fahrenheit (41 Celsius), increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses among residents.

Bruce Thoren, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Oklahoma, emphasized the importance of staying hydrated for those outdoors. “Heat, humidity, and low winds can be dangerous even for those in good shape and not acclimated,” he said. “It happens swiftly.”

Research indicates that heat waves will become one of the most perilous impacts of climate change in the coming decades. Recently, hundreds of people have died from extreme heat across Asia and Europe.