August 2020 Midwest derecho
The August 2020 Midwest derecho was a powerful derecho affecting the Midwestern United States on August 10–11, 2020, primarily eastern Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana. It caused high winds and spawned an outbreak of weak tornadoes. Some areas reported torrential rain and large hail.
Flattened corn field near Adel, Iowa on evening of August 10, 2020. | |
August 10 radar composite from 8am to 7pm CDT | |
| Date(s) | August 10, 2020 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 14 hours |
| Track length | 770 mi (1,240 km) |
| Peak wind gust (measured) | 126 mph (203 km/h; 56.3 m/s) (Atkins, Iowa, United States) |
| Peak wind gust (est.) | 140 mph (225 km/h; 62.6 m/s) (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) |
| Largest hail | 2 in (5.1 cm) (Freeport, Illinois) |
| Tornado count | 26 |
| Strongest tornado1 | EF1 tornado |
| Fatalities | 4 |
| Damage costs | $11.2 billion (2020 USD) |
| Types of damage | Widespread damage to residential and commercial property, agriculture, and public utility infrastructure, some severe, affecting millions. |
| Areas affected | Midwestern United States |
| Severest impact | Cedar Rapids, Iowa area |
| 1Most severe tornado damage; see Enhanced Fujita scale | |
Damage was moderate to severe across much of the affected area, as sustained wind speeds of 70 miles per hour (110 kilometers per hour; 31 meters per second) were prevalent. The greatest damage occurred in eastern Iowa, and northern Illinois, where multiple tornadoes touched down. The highest winds occurred in Iowa, measured at 126 mph (203 km/h; 56.3 m/s) and highest estimated from post-event damage surveys at 140 mph (225 km/h; 62.6 m/s).
Millions across the Midwest were affected by wide-scale utility disruptions, residential and commercial property damage, and severe damage to corn and soybean crops. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was the most severely damaged, suffering a near-complete blackout that lasted for weeks in some areas, widespread and severe property damage, and an estimated loss of at least half of the city's tree canopy. The derecho caused over $11 billion (2020 USD) in damages and spawned a years-long cleanup effort.