Midwest Coverage

Like 'house arrest': Flooded roads, swamped bridges strand Nebraskans

Record floodwaters have ravaged Nebraska, but as they begin to recede, an alarming reality has come into view: Hundreds of miles of highway remain impassable, bridges have been wiped out and routine drives have become treacherous ordeals. In a vast, largely rural state where people rely on two-lane highways and aging bridges to go about daily life, the devastation of basic infrastructure promised to be an expensive and long-term challenge.

Mitch Smith, New York Times

Flooding in the Midwest: Why the Water Is So High

A historic snowy winter is turning into record spring flooding across a wide area in the middle of the United States, as major rivers spill over their banks, break levees and inundate towns and farms. The governors of Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin have declared emergencies, and Iowa’s governor has issued a disaster proclamation. At least two people in Nebraska have died in the floodwaters, and two others are missing.

Adeel Hassan, New York Times

Subzero temperatures blast Chicago

A live shot of Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, where the forecast high in for Wednesday is -15 degrees.

Dangerous cold rattles much of the country

Extreme cold and record-breaking temperatures are crawling into parts of the Midwest after a powerful snowstorm pounded the region, and forecasters warn that the frigid weather could be life-threatening.

Extreme weather is so bad in some parts of the country, even the US Postal Service won't be going out

"Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds," the saying goes.

By Steve Almasy, Holly Yan and Christina Maxouris, CNN