Last year’s derecho storm caused widespread damage across Iowa and potentially changed how people view disaster preparedness. 

The derecho, described as a long-lived straight line wind storm, ripped through Iowa in August of last year. Dallas County Emergency Management Coordinator A.J. Seely says the storm helped change how people view disaster preparedness.

“I think the derecho certainly opened the eyes to people that maybe weren’t aware of one, that derechos do exist and they can happen and two, that they can be widespread and last longer than what we normally would expect.”

Seely tells Raccoon Valley Radio that with other potential disasters we are fortunate there is a limited time frame of impact such as flash flooding. Seely explains the derecho created significant impacts for an extended period of time.

“We had week-long power outages, that sort of thing. Even today I’m sure people are still dealing with the aftermath of derecho whether that be home insurance and all that sort of thing.”

Seely says the derecho highlighted people being prepared for disasters. September is National Preparedness month and people can follow along with the Dallas County EMA Facebook page for tips to prepare throughout this month.