Thoughts and prayers for those affected by derecho storm in midwest

[Brokenhandle]

Just wanted to ask for your thoughts and prayers for those affected by the derecho storm that hit Iowa this past week. It actually started in Nebraska and had an 800 mile trek eastward. While we live in nw Iowa we were just north of the storm, so except for alot of lightning that was close we had no damage. But after talking to friends on Friday evening from east of Cedar Rapids, they have been out of power since monday, they have borrowed a couple of generators and are doing ok. But this storm packed winds around 100 mph and classified as an inland hurricane. Has blocked roads with downed power lines and trees. All of these transmission lines have to be replaced or fixed before many people can get power back on, maybe not till next week sometime. Along with all the damage there has been tens of millions of grain stored commercially at co-ops that has been ruined and millions of bushels of grain stored on farm that has also been lost. To go with that there are approximately 14 million acres of corn and soybeans that have been flattened in the fields in Iowa. Now to some we live in a flyover state...not highly populous and don't really matter, but coming from many generations of farming my heart goes out to those that had the devastating affects of the storm. Especially this year.

Ryan

 

[D.W.]

I read about that on Friday, and how not much attention was being given to the devastation. I don't know anyone that lives out that way but immediately thought about you since I remembered you mentioned living in Iowa. We'll be sure to keep you all in our prayers.

 

[Smkryng]

Just wanted to ask for your thoughts and prayers for those affected by the derecho storm that hit Iowa this past week. It actually started in Nebraska and had an 800 mile trek eastward. While we live in nw Iowa we were just north of the storm, so except for alot of lightning that was close we had no damage. But after talking to friends on Friday evening from east of Cedar Rapids, they have been out of power since monday, they have borrowed a couple of generators and are doing ok. But this storm packed winds around 100 mph and classified as an inland hurricane. Has blocked roads with downed power lines and trees. All of these transmission lines have to be replaced or fixed before many people can get power back on, maybe not till next week sometime. Along with all the damage there has been tens of millions of grain stored commercially at co-ops that has been ruined and millions of bushels of grain stored on farm that has also been lost. To go with that there are approximately 14 million acres of corn and soybeans that have been flattened in the fields in Iowa. Now to some we live in a flyover state...not highly populous and don't really matter, but coming from many generations of farming my heart goes out to those that had the devastating affects of the storm. Especially this year.

Ryan

Prayers!

 

[Brokenhandle]

I read about that on Friday, and how not much attention was being given to the devastation. I don't know anyone that lives out that way but immediately thought about you since I remembered you mentioned living in Iowa. We'll be sure to keep you all in our prayers.

Thank you! And while not directly affected my heart goes out to those that are. Not only the people without electricity for days on end but also the farmers. Last year was floods, this year covid and drought, and now this storm. I swear until I started smoking meat the best smell on earth was fresh tilled dirt every spring. Drive a pickup through rural Iowa and don't be surprised at how many people wave at at you.

Ryan

 

[one eyed jack]

Thoughts and prayers sent. I know, first hand, just how devastating strong winds can be to an area that doesn't get them, often.

Are electric crews from out of state, showing up to help? They do around here, when the hurricanes blow the candles out, and they are greeted like hero's.

 

[JLeonard]

Living in tornado country I am very aware of the after effects of storms. Prayers for all those affected.
Jim

 

[Brokenhandle]

Prayers!

Thank you!

Thoughts and prayers sent. I know, first hand, just how devastating strong winds can be to an area that doesn't get them, often.

Are electric crews from out of state, showing up to help? They do around here, when the hurricanes blow the candles out, and they are greeted like hero's.

Thank you, its appreciated. I haven't heard if other crews have been brought in for sure or not but I think they have, said they are working 24 hours a day to get power restored.

Ryan

 

[Brokenhandle]

Living in tornado country I am very aware of the after effects of storms. Prayers for all those affected.
Jim

Thank you. We are the same way with tornadoes and straight line winds but usually not this big of an area affected

Ryan

 

[chopsaw]

We had high winds blow in out of no where end of last week . Took some trees down . Strongest winds we've had in awhile .

I used to bird hunt in Red Oak and Bedford . Used to be a yearly trip . The family in Red Oak was one of the largest corn producers in the state . 11 farms , nothing but corn as far as you could see .
Some years the corn would still be in and they were cutting . Way before sunrise , and well into the night .
Alot of work goes into it , so the rest of us can get what we need . Hard to think they lost some or all of their income for all that hard work .

 

[GaryHibbert]

First I've heard about this Ryan. It's devastating to loose a full year's income like that.
Prayers.
Gary

 

[rjob]

Prayers and speedy recovery for all. Live in eastern NC. Have experienced the devastating effects of hurricanes and the loss of a home. Have witnessed the adjacent farms loose crops. Sad to experience. A shame media coverage is so poor of a devastating event like this. Has FEMA responded?

 

[Ishi]

I live east of Des Moines and I was just on the southern edge of the storm. Five miles north some corn fields were flattened and across the road or fence the fields were unaffected. After seeing this I know why the meteorologists said the storm produced explosions of high winds.
My power was off for 26 hours and was worried I would loose everything in my four freezers. On Wednesday my wife and I drove north of I 80 and drove through a affected city and had a hard time believing the damage.... just in awe the power of Mother Nature. My cousin was in the town I drove through when the storm happened and was in his truck. He said he called Wife and said he loved her because he thought this was the end for him. Makes a guy think how precious life is.

 

[Brokenhandle]

We had high winds blow in out of no where end of last week . Took some trees down . Strongest winds we've had in awhile .

I used to bird hunt in Red Oak and Bedford . Used to be a yearly trip . The family in Red Oak was one of the largest corn producers in the state . 11 farms , nothing but corn as far as you could see .
Some years the corn would still be in and they were cutting . Way before sunrise , and well into the night .
Alot of work goes into it , so the rest of us can get what we need . Hard to think they lost some or all of their income for all that hard work .

It definitely takes alot of work and time to get crops in and then harvested in the fall. If you have livestock then its even more work. Most farmers carry some form of crop insurance but if you've ever dealt with insurance companies you never come out ahead...hopefully cover your expenses at least.

Ryan

 

[Brokenhandle]

First I've heard about this Ryan. It's devastating to loose a full year's income like that.
Prayers.
Gary

Thanks Gary! It might not all be lost for all, heard a crop specialist say they might be able to still harvest some of it as long as its not snapped off completely. But would have to combine it only going one direction, which sucks. Kinda like mowing your lawn in one direction, it takes forever. Plus all the grain bins that were demolished, won't be time to get them all replaced before harvest.

Ryan

 

[Winterrider]

A person sure feels for these people when devastating events like this, hurricanes, wild fires out west , everything.
Stay safe, stay strong. . .

 

[Brokenhandle]

Prayers and speedy recovery for all. Live in eastern NC. Have experienced the devastating effects of hurricanes and the loss of a home. Have witnessed the adjacent farms loose crops. Sad to experience. A shame media coverage is so poor of a devastating event like this. Has FEMA responded?

Thanks rjob! Can't imagine what going through a hurricane is like! And yes the media coverage is...you know. Not sure if fema has done anything yet. But I don't think so, many people are upset because it doesn't seem like much is being done. I think the governor is asking for 4 billion in federal aid. But there are good people out there...read one story where shortly after it happened they had a semi flatbed loaded with pallets of bottled water on it's way.

Ryan

 

[Brokenhandle]

I live east of Des Moines and I was just on the southern edge of the storm. Five miles north some corn fields were flattened and across the road or fence the fields were unaffected. After seeing this I know why the meteorologists said the storm produced explosions of high winds.
My power was off for 26 hours and was worried I would loose everything in my four freezers. On Wednesday my wife and I drove north of I 80 and drove through a affected city and had a hard time believing the damage.... just in awe the power of Mother Nature. My cousin was in the town I drove through when the storm happened and was in his truck. He said he called Wife and said he loved her because he thought this was the end for him. Makes a guy think how precious life is.

Life is definitely precious! Everything else is replaceable. It's very surprising there wasn't more casualties. We also had a friend caught in it, works for the county and was driving the maintainer (road grader) grading gravel roads...not an unshattered window left on it. Now that we know he's ok gonna definitely ask him what he did to upset his wife so much!

Ryan

 

[Brokenhandle]

A person sure feels for these people when devastating events like this, hurricanes, wild fires out west , everything.
Stay safe, stay strong. . .

Yes it's almost impossible to imagine what mother nature can do unless you have actually been through it. Sometimes feel helpless when you don't know what can be done to help. But most farmers are resilient, been through lots of tough times and friends and neighbors are always there to help what needs done.

Ryan

 

[Brokenhandle]

My wife just told me our friends that live east of cedar rapids in a small town that most of the town has electricity back except for a few houses on west side of town...yep they live on the west side, 7 days and no electricity for them yet. But still doing ok, been making coffee and meals on the grill!

Ryan

 

[Ishi]

I forgot to say I had a new grandson born in Des Moines during the derecho. They moved my daughter in-law to three different rooms before he was born.