On Friday (July 18), millions of Americans are under weather alerts as severe conditions sweep across the country. Seventeen million people are under flood alerts across the Gulf Coast and the mid-Atlantic, while 19 million are facing heat warnings in the mid-Atlantic, southern Florida, and the Mississippi Valley.

Heavy rains have already caused significant flooding in several areas. In Kansas City, Missouri, a month's worth of rain fell in just a few hours, turning creeks into torrents and prompting 23 high-water rescues. Similarly, in Uvalde, Texas, a person died after their vehicle was swept away by floodwaters. The Gulf Coast is experiencing heavy rain due to tropical moisture, affecting eastern Texas, southern Louisiana, and coastal Mississippi and Alabama. Cities like New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Mobile are at risk of flooding from thunderstorms producing 2 to 3 inches of rain per hour.

In the mid-Atlantic, flood watches extend across eastern Kentucky, southern Ohio, and much of West Virginia and Virginia. The Shenandoah Valley in Virginia is particularly vulnerable, with rainfall rates of 3 inches per hour potentially causing flash floods. Looking ahead, the Midwest, Ohio Valley, and Appalachians are expected to face flood risks over the weekend.

Simultaneously, a heat wave is gripping parts of the country. Cities under heat alerts include Raleigh, North Carolina; Miami, Florida; and Little Rock, Arkansas. Miami will see temperatures reaching up to 92 degrees with a heat index of 103, while Raleigh will experience highs of 95 and a heat index of 106. Little Rock's temperatures will soar to 97 degrees with a heat index of 110.

Power companies are preparing for potential outages due to the storms and heat. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has declared a state of emergency in 13 counties due to flooding from Tropical Storm Chantal.

The Afternoon News with Kitty O'Neal