Iowa’s ‘Inland Hurricane’ Wreaks Havoc on Locals — and the World’s Food Supply

On Aug. 10, Iowa and much of the United States’ Midwest experienced one of the most damaging storms seen in recent history. Hurricanes usually strike states like Florida and Louisiana, so the idea of one ravaging a landlocked state like Iowa was something residents were not prepared to face. After nearly a week, the Midwest is finally free of the devastating derecho, and now some are coining it as “Iowa’s Katrina.” 

The prolonged storms in Iowa are what the National Weather Service refers to as a derecho, a widespread, persistent windstorm associated with a band of quick-moving showers or thunderstorms. Because these storms are so powerful, they tend to leave similar damage to hurricanes and tornadoes. “Straight-line wind damage,” when the wind gusts powerfully in one direction, generally concentrates the destruction caused by derechos. 

According to the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center, it barreled eastward across the Midwest, traveling 770 miles in just 14 hours. Since the storms, thousands are still without water and power, with Cedar Rapids being one of the hardest-hit cities. According to Greg Smith, the city’s fire chief, more than 800 buildings have partially collapsed and more than 20 school buildings in Cedar Rapids have been damaged.

Cornfields on an Iowa farm. inkknife_2000. CC BY-SA 2.0.

This sweeping derecho  impacts not only Iowans and Midwesterners but also the world’s food supply. According to Iowa’s Gov. Kim Reynolds, this storm destroyed at least one-third of Iowa’s crops, which is about 10 million acres. Tens of millions of bushels of stored grain were blown away by extreme winds as well.

Soy farm in Iowa. User1778011. Pixabay.

Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig said in total, 14 million acres of insured crops were in the path of the derecho. About 3.57 million acres of corn and 2.5 million acres of soybeans in 36 counties were damaged or destroyed during the storms. 

As the United States is one of the largest exporters of soy and the top exporter of corn, this could place a strain on domestic and international food and feed supplies. Iowa and Illinois, the top corn-producing states, typically grow about one-third of the U.S. crop. The widespread devastation of crops in the region only increases the burden on an already strained agricultural industry recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Damage in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Alli_jakoubek. Instagram.

While this event has been classified as a federal emergency, Iowa residents and farmers will not see much assistance. The federal major disaster declaration approved on Aug. 17 does not include financial assistance for Iowans despite President Donald Trump tweeting that he approved the state's application in "FULL." Gov. Kim Reynolds' request for $82.7 million to cover the 8,273 homes that were damaged or destroyed was not approved. Also denied were her requests for $3.77 billion for damage to farmland, grain bins and buildings along with a request for $100 million toward private utilities repair. The state did receive $45 million from the federal government to put toward recovery. 

This storm has shown the importance of states like Iowa as the repercussions of the derecho radiate across borders. For suppliers reliant on corn and soy as well as farmers who use the crops for feed, the derecho has depleted essential supplies already strained by the pandemic. While very little international attention has been given to this derecho, Midwestern farmers’ vital role in agriculture is essential to the world.

Renee Richardson

is currently an English student at The University of Georgia. She lives in Ellijay, Georgia, a small mountain town in the middle of Appalachia. A passionate writer, she is inspired often by her hikes along the Appalachian trail and her efforts to fight for equality across all spectrums. She hopes to further her passion as a writer into a flourishing career that positively impacts others.