News : 1 year after the Derecho

Monday, August 10, 2020, started out with a storm warning. Not sure what to expect, everyone was keeping an eye out the window. Once again, just a little past the 10 year anniversary of the last derecho on July 11, 2010, Benton County got hit, again, by straight-line winds. In every emergency, our go-to is, "Call 911!" A story from last year captured what those at the end of those calls went through trying to get help to everyone in need. Captured in the storm, one of our Benton County Deputies had to be rescued himself. Fortunately, we didn't lose anyone who was out there trying to help. Click here to read the story about some in our emergency services during the storm.

Benton County Emergency put out a statement following the damage of that week which in part read, "This past week has been particularly trying for Benton County citizens, government and emergency responders. The devastating Derecho Windstorm left 90% of Benton County without power and at least 90% of the county's residents with wind damage ranging from minor to severe. Benton County Emergency Management Coordinator Scott Hansen stated this has been the most difficult disaster incident in his career to coordinate due to the severe impact to ten communities, the widespread damage to rural areas and the long term lack of communications capabilities caused by infrastructure damage from the storm. Also, due to COVID-19 the normal response and assistance the county is used to receiving from non-governmental agencies has been hampered."

The storm was fast-moving The National Weather Service had warnings out in plenty of time and as a result, Benton County's fire department and law enforcement weather spotters were out 30 minutes ahead of the storm and was able to report back as the storm approached. Because of the severity of the storm, sirens were sounded across the county.

"Immediately following the storm communications to and from the Benton County Emergency Operation Center (EOC) were severely hampered because the county's radio system was not functioning in some areas and had sporadic coverage in other areas. The EOC phone system was also out of service for 45 minutes and there was no, or very limited, cell phone servicefor at least 48 hours. Nearly the entire county and all cities were initially without power.

Disaster recovery efforts began immediately but continued to be hampered by lack of cell phone, landline and radio communications capabilities. These problems continued for the rest of the week.

Tuesday morning, in response to the disaster, Benton Supervisors declared a county-wide disaster declaration and Coordinator Hansen activated the State of Iowa Individual Assistance Program to begin the process of helping the county's lower income citizens. Other recovery actions taken on Monday and Tuesday included:

* The City of Vinton restored electrical power by generating from the city's generation plant* Electrical power was restored to part of Urbana* The American Red Cross provided lodging for 30-40 Benton County families who lost their homes in the storm* The Salvation Army provided food for meals being made and distributed in Belle Plaine by community volunteers and also provided mobile feeding around the county* Benton County Emergency Management CommissionChairman Steve Meyer traveled the county and conducted an initial damage assessment

By mid-week Benton County Emergency Management (EMA) was able to establish a way to communicate with most of the county's cities on a regular basis. The Salvation Army continued to provide food for Belle Plaine community volunteers to feed 500 lunches. The Presbyterian church in Vinton had volunteers prepare 1000 more lunches from food purchased by the Salvation Army and then distributed the food to other impacted communities in the county. Cities began tree debris removal and Benton County EMA secured State of Iowa DOT resources to assist with debris removal. The EMA also secured large generators for Belle Plaine and other community's needs.

On Thursday the Benton EMA also secured assistance from Black Hawk, Buchanan, Clayton, and Delaware County Emergency Managers who conducted the formal initial damage survey necessary for the Federal disaster declaration process.

Throughout Benton County neighbors, relatives, friends, and strangers have all helped each other through the disaster recovery process, in particular with clean up. In the days and weeks ahead the Benton County EMA will explore every opportunity to provide the county and its residents with the resources they need to recover from this disaster. If any event should underscore the need for individual citizens and families to have disaster preparedness supplies on hand, this is it."

Schools start dates were pushed back a couple of weeks, with Benton Community being the hardest hit in the county.

One year later, most of the surface damage has been cleaned up. But like the storm 10 years earlier where you can still see damage to the tres north of Vinton, you can see the landscape in the rest of the county has changed.

Photos can be seen here of:

Rural Van Horne & Norway

Damage along Highway 30

Central Lutheran School in Newhall

If you are on Facebook and use the search feature, search "Derecho" and photos from anyone who shared them will pop up.

Here's hoping for a non-eventful few decades when it comes to weather!

Photo courtesy of Central Lutheran School