derecho News

Powerful Winds Are Battering US Midwest at Increasing Rates

Damaging winds blasting out of thunderstorms are occurring five times more frequently across the central US than they were 40 years ago because of the warming climate, threatening local economies. That’s according to new findings from the National Center for …

Springfield Residents Go Days Without Power After Derecho Winds

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – The fierce derecho that tore through Springfield late last week snapped massive utility poles and trees, causing widespread power outages that are expected to leave many homes in the dark for several more days, officials said …

Has the Re/Insurance Industry Missed a Major North American Risk?

The United States remains the largest peak peril risk area in the global re/insurance market and accounts for the bulk of the reinsurance that’s traded. Over the past few years, though, we’ve seen more risk transfer transactions that account for …

Dec. 15 Storms Across North-Central U.S. Classified as Derecho

O’FALLON, Mo. (AP)–A line of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes that swept across the north-central U.S. last week was the result of a serial derecho _ the first on record in December, officials with the National Weather Service said Monday. At …

US Farmers Finally See Better Outlook After 2 Odd Years

MADRID, Iowa (AP) — In 43 years of farming, Morey Hill had seen crop-destroying weather, rock-bottom prices, trade fights and surges in government aid, but not until last year had he endured it all in one season. Now, as Hill …

Cedar Rapids, Marion Seek Federal Aid for Waterway Cleanup

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Cedar Rapids and Marion are pursuing federal assistance to help pay for millions of dollars worth of tree debris cleanup in waterways as recovery from last summer’s devastating derecho continues. The two Linn County communities …

Congregations Still Recovering From August’s Derecho

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP )– First Assembly of God looked like a “war zone” after the Aug. 10 derecho. Two-thirds of the roof was ripped and water poured into the sanctuary of the building at 3233 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE …

Repairs Ongoing to Iowa Streetlights Damaged by August Storm

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Months after a derecho tore through Iowa, thousands of streetlights still need to be repaired in the Cedar Rapids area. Mayuri Farlinger, the director of operations for Alliant Energy in the region, did not have an …

Revolutionary War Monument, Damaged by Derecho, Back on Pedestal

SPRINGVILLE, Iowa — A deteriorating Revolutionary War monument, which was damaged even more in the Aug. 10 derecho, has been restored and once again sits on its pedestal in the Springville Cemetery. For six years, local chapters of the Daughters …

Report: Iowa’s Derecho Crop Losses Increase By More Than 50%

DES MOINES, Iowa — Crop loss estimates from a rare wind storm that slammed Iowa in August have increased by more than 50%, a new report shows. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Friday that the number of crop acres …