Cliff Owen / AP Photo
The eastern U.S. has been hit with fatal storms, power outages, and blistering heat for three straight days, with several cities hitting record highs and others declaring a state of emergency. After thunderstorms killed at least 15 people, more than 3 million lost power, adding to the excruciating heat. Charlotte, N.C.—one of the hardest-hit areas—reached 104 degrees on Sunday, but areas from Washington, D.C., to St. Louis have been blasted with record temperatures as well as power outages that could take up to a week to fix. The heat wave hit New York City just in time for power company Consolidated Edison Inc. to lock out its unionized workers—leaving the company to find extra crews to be on hand as New Yorkers attempt to battle the heat.