Nearly one million of the trees felled in the 2020 derecho were in Linn County alone, and the damage left rural and urban communities alike with gaping holes in their tree canopies. Five years later, The Gazette is revisiting what’s been done to fill the gaps.
Five years after the 2020 derecho’s hurricane-force winds extensively damaged homes throughout the area, construction continues in Cedar Rapids and surrounding communities to replenish the housing stock that was damaged or entirely lost in the disaster.
Five years after a derecho devastated Cedar Rapids, city officials said they’ve incorporated many of the lessons learned into training for new employees, and a network of neighborhood resource centers stands ready to help residents in future times of need.
Five years ago, destructive prolonged wind gusts of up to 140 mph blew through Iowa, felling trees, flattening crops, ripping down power lines and tearing away building walls and roofs. It was the most costly thunderstorm in U.S. history. Derechos aren’t uncommon. What made this one so destructive? And how are derecho forecasts improving?
Move the sliders left and right to see the difference between 2020 and 2025.
Action comes after weaknesses identified in 2020 derecho response
Nicole Andrew and her kids moved back into their home just 2 weeks ago after it was destroyed in the 2020 derecho. She’s among a number of property owners whose efforts to swiftly fix homes for various reasons stalled in the 2 years after the disaster.
Homeowner Mark Sutton of Cedar Rapids is not alone: Roughly 4,700 derecho-related claims filed by policyholders in Iowa remain open, according to the state insurance division.
Top donors include the Hall-Perrine Foundation, Alliant Energy, Collins Aerospace and ITC Midwest
About half the roughly $100 million in aid to local governments sought by Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha, Robins and Linn County in the aftermath of the 2020 derecho has been received so far from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
About $800,000 remains for qualifying residents of single-family homes and mobile homes that sustained damage in the August 2020 derecho. As funds dwindle likely by the end of the year, officials urged anyone who may be in need to apply with urgency.
Organizations are using more grassroots efforts to plant trees, and many residents taking the initiative since the Aug. 10, 2020, derecho.
Nearly two years removed from the Aug. 10, 2020, derecho, most Iowa farmers are back on their feet, but some are still recovering and rebuilding their operations, with some toppled and damaged farm buildings still in disarray .
City, county plan ‘community conversation’ at two-year mark of disaster
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