A rare and powerful wind storm known as a derecho swept across the US Midwest on Monday, causing widespread destruction comparable to an inland hurricane. The storm toppled trees, flipped vehicles, damaged property, and left tens of thousands without power across eastern Nebraska, Iowa, and parts of Wisconsin.
Patrick Marsh, science support chief at the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center, said the storm had wind speeds equivalent to a major hurricane and likely caused more widespread damage than a typical tornado. Unlike a hurricane, the derecho lacked an eye and its winds moved in a line, but the extensive damage area resembled an inland hurricane more than a tornado.
Victor Gensini, a meteorology professor at Northern Illinois University, described the event as “our version of a hurricane” and predicted it would be one of the strongest derechos in recent history, marking a significant weather event for 2020. Several injuries were reported, particularly in Marshall County, Iowa, where 100 mph winds ripped road signs from the ground, tore off roofs, and damaged fencing. Some vehicles flipped over, and power lines fell on cars.
Marshalltown Mayor Joel Greer declared a civil emergency, urging residents to stay home to allow first responders to operate. MidAmerican Energy reported nearly 101,000 customers without power in the Des Moines area. Roof damage was widespread, including to a hockey arena in Des Moines, and Cedar Rapids reported significant damage throughout the city.
The storm formed from unstable, super-moist air that had lingered over the northern plains for days, finally intensifying into a derecho on Monday morning. Gensini likened these storms to “self-sustaining amoebas of thunderstorms” that are difficult to stop once they gain momentum. Derechos, defined by winds of at least 58 mph, occur about once a year in the Midwest, causing damage over a much wider area than tornadoes.
