Thousands of people were in the path of a dangerous storm that moved through North Carolina on Wednesday afternoon.

A line of heavy thunderstorms swept across the D.C. region Wednesday evening, unleashing torrential rains that flooded streets and violent wind gusts that toppled trees. The storms produced spectacular skies — including menacing clouds on approach and vivid rainbows upon exiting.

Flooding is the deadliest natural disaster facing Oklahomans, a threat far greater than tornadoes. In the United States, flooding kills an average of 103 people a year. Tornadoes, however, caused 48 deaths on average during the same period, according to the National Weather Service.

Another flood watch is in effect from 5 p.m. Wednesday to 2 a.m. Thursday, with another round of potent thunderstorms expected later Thursday.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency for the village of Ruidoso, in an area that was scarred by wildfires last year.

Milwaukee will experience two mostly sunny days with temperatures in the mid-to-high 70s and low humidity before storms possibly return.

Skywatchers may have a harder time spotting July's full moon in Iowa. The evening of Wednesday, July 9, is expected to have 50-80% cloud cover across the state with some thunderstorms possible starting in western Iowa around 10 p.m. and moving across the state through the night, according to the National Weather Service.

A severe hail storm has ripped up trees and roofs in Croatia while hundreds of fires raged in neighboring Serbia following a period of extremely hot weather in parts of the Balkan region.

Happening now: The strongest storms have moved east of the region, but rain is slow to wind down near and east of D.C. A flood watch and severe thunderstorm watch are in effect for parts of the area. What’s next? Typical July heat, relentless humidity and daily storm chances continue through the weekend.