WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, marked the one-year anniversary of the devasting derecho that blasted through Iowa on August 10, 2020. The highest official wind gusts measured was 99 mph at the Marshalltown Airport with an unofficial wind gust of 106 mph at Le Grand (east of Marshalltown). Many parts of the state experienced wind gusts of 70 mph or higher. NOAA estimated $7.5 billion in damage making the storm the costliest thunderstorm disaster in U.S. history.
Watch her video statement above or read the transcript below:
“A year ago today, the derecho tore through central and eastern Iowa and other parts of the Midwest. We all remember where we were that day. I was huddled in the basement with Max and Jax, who were then 7 and 9.
“People’s lives and livelihoods were upended in an instant—homes, schools, businesses, and farmland were devastated.
“We were already in the middle of one of the most challenging years of our lives because of the COVID-19 pandemic. And the derecho was the last thing we needed; it was a one-two gut punch for us.
“But Iowans banded together. We pulled together to rebuild, and we are continuing to work to recover as one community.
“I am looking forward to participating in several community events today with so many of you as we take stock of all the progress we’ve made to rebuild and recommit to seeing the recovery process through together.
“I’ll do everything I can as your Congresswoman to bring recovery resources home and ensure we are better prepared for natural disasters – whether it’s a derecho, a flood, or another extreme weather event – in the future.
“On the one year anniversary of the derecho, one thing remains clear: Iowans are resilient, we are strong, and we will always stick together.”
