On August 10, 2020, a powerful derecho storm swept across Iowa, leaving behind a trail of destruction that uprooted trees, flattened crops, and damaged thousands of homes. As the stateโs residents struggled to recover, frustration grew over what many perceived as a slow response to the crisis.
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ToggleA Storm Like No Other
The derecho, a rare and intense windstorm, traveled over 700 miles in 14 hours, packing winds that reached 112 mph in Iowa. It devastated cities like Cedar Rapids, where more than half the tree canopy was destroyed, and left many residents without power for days. Entire neighborhoods were reduced to rubble, and the storm inflicted severe damage on the stateโs cornfields, a backbone of its economy.
Cedar Rapids resident Blake Rowland described the aftermath as catastrophic. โThis is the worst storm damage Iโve ever seen,โ he said. โEveryone felt something from it.โ
Delayed Federal Assistance
More than a week after the storm, many Iowans were still waiting for help. Governor Kim Reynolds faced criticism for not immediately requesting a federal disaster declaration. Although Reynolds initially issued a state disaster declaration for six counties, it wasnโt until five days later that she expanded it to include 27 counties.
At a press conference, Reynolds defended her approach, citing the need for a comprehensive damage assessment before submitting a federal request. She assured Iowans that her team was working tirelessly and had spoken to President Trump, who promised to expedite the declaration process once the paperwork was filed.
Residents like Cedar Rapidsโ Desiree Sade expressed frustration over the delay. โWe cannot pull ourselves up by the bootstraps without boots,โ she said. Sade had been coordinating aid for disabled and elderly residents in her community, using donations raised through social media.
Community Efforts Take the Lead
In the absence of immediate federal aid, local organizations and volunteers stepped in. The United Way of Eastern Iowa coordinated donations and dispatched volunteers to help with cleanup and distribute supplies. Out-of-state groups like the United Cajun Navy also arrived with resources, including food and equipment.
Kristin Roberts, CEO of the United Way of Eastern Iowa, highlighted the widespread impact. โThis affected the entire city,โ she said. โEveryone is in the same boat.โ
Sade, whose own home was damaged, put her personal needs aside to focus on helping others. โWe feel like others have more pressing issues that we can help with,โ she said, noting the resilience of her neighbors and their willingness to support one another.
Lessons From the Past
The 2008 flooding in Cedar Rapids served as a stark reminder of the importance of swift disaster response. At that time, President George W. Bush approved a major disaster declaration within 24 hours of Governor Chet Culverโs request, allowing federal aid to flow quickly into affected areas. Many residents questioned why the same urgency wasnโt applied in 2020.
Marshall County Mayor Steve Sodders, whose town also suffered damage, called for immediate federal assistance to alleviate the financial burden on local governments. โWe are still digging out from COVID,โ he said. โNow with the storm, I donโt know where weโre going to pull money from.โ
A Long Road to Recovery
The derechoโs aftermath has left Iowans grappling with both physical destruction and emotional exhaustion. For many, the storm served as yet another challenge in a year already marked by the COVID-19 pandemic.
As cleanup efforts continued, Cedar Rapids resident Michael Hachey reflected on the resilience of his community. โWeโve been through floods, tornadoes, and now this,โ he said. โWeโll rebuild, but itโs going to take time.โ
How to Help
Residents in need of assistance or those wishing to volunteer can contact the United Way of Eastern Iowa at 224-406-1366 or visit uweci.org/volunteernow for more information.