By Curt Jacobs
Correspondent
Until recently, the term derecho was new to most of us. The National Weather Service gives the description of a Derecho as a widespread, long-lived wind storm. Derechos are associated with bands of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms. They have some additional requirements including a swath of wind damage that extends at least 400 miles,and is at least 60 miles wide, includes wind gusts of at least 58 mph along most of its length, and also includes several, well-separated 75 mph or greater gusts. The majority of these storms are found in North America.
The first of these storms to be identified as a derecho was documented in 1877. It traveled from South Dakota to Ohio. Derechos on average occur once every 2 years in Iowa and on average once per year in Illinois. The storm that crossed Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, and Indiana generated hundreds of wind damage reports. Those reports ranged from tree, powerline, structural and crop damages, along with several confirmed tornadoes. In parts of southern Illinois and southern Indiana they were hit twice. Once from the remnants of hurricane Beryl and also the derecho.
Photo by Curt Jacobs
Several types of crop diseases can be the result of a derecho. Physical damage can range from broken off plants to wind damaged leaves. These leaves become susceptible to fungal pathogens such as leaf blights and could lead to root rot. Soil erosion and wind can carry spores of pathogens into new areas and create new infections of plants. The timing of the storm can greatly affect the crop, especially during the pollination of corn leading to poor pollination and reduced crops. These are just some of the possible outcomes from a major storm event.
The derecho in August of 2020 damaged approximately 14 million acres of crops. Total economic losses to agriculture were estimated at $3.8 Billion. It is too soon to estimate the damage that this storm has caused. It will take months to realize all the damage that has happened. If you see someone that is cleaning up storm damage, take some time and help out if you are able too. You never know when you may be the next person that needs a little extra help.