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'Apocalyptic' Weather Devastates Southwest US

CBN

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Wildfires and flooding are devastating the Southwest, causing dangerous conditions for millions and forcing thousands to evacuate.

Massive flames burned through 375 acres in just five hours in Weed, California. The fire destroyed or damaged more than 100 homes and two churches.

Maureen Campbell, stood at the remnants of the Holy Family Catholic Church. Campbell was baptized, confirmed, and married at the church, and she's now the church's music minister.

She lost her home in the fire, but is even more affected by the loss of the church building.

"This is my family church, you know? It's much more endearing to me," Campbell said.

"It was crazy. It was like 'Apocolypse Now'," Matt Falconer, a Weed resident, said. "I was on the roof watching houses explode. Within three minutes it went from one house to another."

Crews are also battling 15 other uncontained fires along the West Coast.

"We have nothing left," Leah Plfleger said. She was one of close to 2,000 people evacuated.

"You just can't get those things back. All of my son's Marine medals. They were all here," she said through tears.

And there are other worries for the Southwest area - up to 70 miles per hour winds and heavy rains from Tropical Storm Odile are causing severe flooding.

Storms derailed a train in one area, and at a San Diego airport the wind sent planes crashing into vehicles.

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