Derecho Hits Iowa
August 10th and 11th, Cedar Rapids, Iowa took the heaviest damage from a derecho that went through that city. A "Derecho"‘ , as described by the National Weather Service, is a weather event consisting of a widespread, long-lived windstorm. associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms. Although a derecho can cause damage similar to that of a tornado, the damage from a derecho is usually in one direction across a straight swath. The derecho that moved through cedar rapids, with winds reported up to 100 mph, was reported to have damaged more than 800 buildings, leaving partially collapsed roofs, walls, ceilings, or floors. Those structures included a number of homes, businesses, and 20 schools. No deaths were reported, but approximately 50 were taken to area hospitals for treatment. The biggest issue though was a lot of downed trees, causing 50,000 to be without power. At first city officials did not know how long it would take to restore power in the area, but the area energy company reported that 81% of the power had been restored the the morning of the 18th, and they hoped to have the rest restored later on that day.
On Wednesday, August 12th, Dennis McClintock, our Associate Director that handles Iowa was intouch with the Central Church of Christ in Cedar Rapids, asking it they needed supplies sent their direction. On Thursday, August 13th we received word about 3pm that they wanted a truckload of supplies. We had the truck loaded and on the road at 5pm. The next morning, Friday August 14th the trailer was unloaded at the Central church building. By Saturday afternoon, the supplies on the first truck had all been distributed, and a second shipment was requested. It pulled away from Nashville about 1pm Sunday afternoon, and was unloaded by church members in Cedar Rapids Monday morning the 17th.
Please continue to keep those affected by this storm in your prayers. Also, we have been in touch already with some congregations about the the two tropical depressions that are heading for Florida and Texas. This is one time, I think we all hope the weather forecasters are wrong!
Thank you for your prayers and support!