BS: The Iowa derecho, 2020

Subject: BS: The Iowa derecho, 2020
From: Jack Campin
Date: 17 Aug 20 - 04:27 AM

The Iowa storm seems to have been about as bad as natural disasters get but hardly anyone outside Iowa has heard of it.

News from any Mudcatters there who have a usable Internet connection?

Subject: RE: BS: The Iowa derecho, 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Aug 20 - 09:52 AM

This happened several days ago, and it is the equivalent of a "land hurricane." It whipped through the upper midwest and gave them quite a soaking. Straight line winds usually do damage. I'm in "regular" hurricane terrain (though it is a tropical storm by the time it reaches this far inland) to the south of that particular derecho.

What is a derecho, and why is it so destructive?

'The Devastation Is Widespread.' Iowans Continue To Struggle Following Deadly Derecho

Iowans grapple with aftermath of Monday's deadly derecho, 'a disaster that we have never seen'

The storm system continued on in a less organized fashion and dropped a lot of rain all the way up through Great Lake states.

Subject: RE: BS: The Iowa derecho, 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Aug 20 - 09:55 AM

The New York Times also has several remarkable photos of the weather event.

Subject: RE: BS: The Iowa derecho, 2020
From: Rapparee
Date: 17 Aug 20 - 10:15 AM

So do many other news sources, inside and outside of Iowa. BTW, it also struck the northern half of Illinois and Indiana. Chicago was hit, for instance.

Subject: RE: BS: The Iowa derecho, 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Aug 20 - 10:19 AM

There were several local papers - anyone doing a Google search will find them. I put up links on the ones I didn't have to fool with a paywall. Sometimes if you're not a regular reader on those they'll give you a few free views.

Subject: RE: BS: The Iowa derecho, 2020
From: leeneia
Date: 17 Aug 20 - 01:40 PM

"Governor Kim Reynolds said the soonest she'd be able to submit an application for a disaster declaration is on Monday, according to Iowa Public Radio."

Iowans are without shelter, power, food and medicines, but it's the weekend, so the federal government isn't answering the phone.

Subject: RE: BS: The Iowa derecho, 2020
From: leeneia
Date: 19 Aug 20 - 10:55 AM

"Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said that early estimates indicate that 10 million acres, or nearly a third of the state's crop land, was damaged in a powerful storm that battered the region a day earlier."

This is very serious. Somewhere I read that Iowa feeds one-sixth of the world. And let's not forget the other states that were hit.

I have friends near Des Moines, but they've sent word they had no damage except large branches coming down.

Subject: RE: BS: The Iowa derecho, 2020
From: Rapparee
Date: 19 Aug 20 - 08:22 PM

Relatives in the Quad-Cities area were without power (in 100F heat) for a week. No facilities to go to because everyone around them were in the same boat.