The Iowa Derecho
Photo gallery from Meteorologist Nick Stewart during the costliest thunderstorm disaster in US history, the Aug. 10, 2020 derecho.
The encounter with the shelf cloud along the leading edge of the derecho on Highway 21, just north of US 30, north of Belle Plaine, Iowa.
A stop sign at the intersection of US 30 and 26th Avenue south of Newhall, Iowa is bent as the base with extensive damage to trees and powerlines.
Extensive damage to a farm located on US 30 south of Van Horne, Iowa.
The corn crop was devastated along the storm’s path, this taken south of Van Horne. The USDA estimated 850,000 acres of crop in Iowa were a complete loss from the storm.
Power lines were destroyed across the path of destruction, especially along US 30. This photo taken on 22nd Avenue south of Van Horne shows sheet metal trapped in the lines.
A semi jackknifed along US30 due to the intense wind.
A building with extensive roof damage as rain continues to pour down well after the storm rolled through.
Sheet metal wrapped around powerlines in front of a field of corn that lies completely flattened.
Traffic is at a standstill west of Cedar Rapids along US 30 due to high-tension lines over the highway. We were able to maneuver on the shoulder and under the lines while semis were stuck for hours.
A long line of high-tension power lines toppled across US 30 stopping traffic. Many lines snapped at the base for more than a quarter mile. A house in the distance is missing its roof with corn fields flattened.
Streetlights absolutely shredded by the wind gusts in northeast Cedar Rapids.
After successfully making it back to Cedar Rapids, the devastation was everywhere. At my work in northeast Cedar Rapids, entire trees were toppled with stoplights scattered everywhere from blocks away.
The back window in our storm chasing vehicle was blown out. I was sitting in the seat right in front of this window, showers by shards of glass. I used my jacket to try and keep the wind and water out as gusts up to 140mph battered our vehicle.
Trees fell on homes all across Cedar Rapids, a scene replicated street after street. This taken while trying to return to my apartment the evening of Aug. 10.
My apartment, now missing its roof, following the derecho. I occupied to the top apartment right below where the roof blew off.
I was able to run and grab a few things from my apartment the night of the storm, and this is what I grabbed. My backup camera, backup computer hardware, a Halo figure that is rather valuable, and clothes including a few ties to work.
Tires Plus on Collins Road and 1st Ave was significantly destroyed by the storm. A car that was undergoing work when the storm hits remains on a lift.
AUGUST 11, 2020 - THE DAY AFTER
Power restoration companies pour into the region. At peak, more than 585,000 customers were without power in Iowa in the aftermath. It took more than three weeks to get all customers back online.
Travel around Cedar Rapids was extremely difficult due to down trees and powerlines, and on the main Interstate 380, flipped semis still lines the roadways.
Power poles snapped by the Cedar Rapids airport. This was part of the main feed of power into the southwestern part of the city.
The morning after the derecho I interviewed Linn County Emergency Management coordinator Steve O’Konek to get a handle on the immediate response and situation in the county.
Following the derecho and being left homeless, I “moved” in with co-worker and great friend David Amelotti. This image shows the early days of getting through the storm. Coolers filled with ice, grilling as the main way of cooking food, and a generator keeping the fridge running with plenty of fuel on hand.
With 95-percent of Linn County without power following the disaster, the night sky was very clear. This was taken in northeast Cedar Rapids, an otherwise impossible shot.
August 13, 2020
A card sent to our station from a few kids. I vividly remember seeing this and breaking down into tears. I think, for whatever reason, this is was let what just happened flood my emotions.
August 15, 2020
Friday August 15 was the first time I was off following the storm, and I had a few days to try and get my life together. Somehow, as usual, I ended back at work anyway sporting a shirt created by Raygun to raise money for storm victims.
A home just behind the Iowa’s News Now studio.
While looking around Marion, Iowa, I came across this radio tower operated by WMT, completely toppled. I shared this image with the National Weather Service in Davenport. This started the post-storm survey process. The damage caused to this tower was estimated at 130mph.
The main feed of power into Marion, Iowa was now mostly repaired by ITC. This would start the significant increase in customers receiving power following the storm.
August 16, 2020
Members of the Iowa National Guard help remove tree debris in southwest Cedar Rapids.
There was a significant amount of public backlash for the lack of National Guard presence in the early days after the storm, despite their limited operational usefulness.
August 18, 2020
Air Force One lands at the Eastern Iowa Airport for a presidential visit. The former president Donald Trump never left the airport grounds.
A crew from the Iowa DOT repairs one of countless signs across the region toppled by the strong wind gusts.
August 20, 2020
Ten days after the storm, power crews are still working on restoration efforts in Benton County, south of Vinton.
Johnson Farms in Garrison was significantly impacted the the derecho, nine years after another derecho destroyed their shop. The committed to rebuild once again.
The corn crop near Garrison was devastated by the storm, showing no sign of trying to stand back up. The timing of this storm in August couldn’t be much worse as there was no time for the corn to recover.
The Thompson Farm, near Van Horne, lay in ruin following the derecho. This was the property located right next to a photo I took the day off with powerlines over the rural gravel road on 22nd Avenue off of US30 in Benton County.
Apartments in southwest Cedar Rapids along Wilson Avenue and Wiley Boulevard were demolished by the derecho. Wind gusts here were estimated at 140mph by the National Weather Service.
Many people, especially low-income families, lived inside these apartments and were left homeless by the storm. Many lived in tents for days following the storm.
Businesses were ruined by the derecho near the apartment complex, including a laundromat. These businesses have not returned following the storm two years later.
August 17, 2020 - One Week Later
Power restored to Jason and Kacie’s home with a home-smoked meal.