On Friday, August 8, the City of Cedar Rapids will host a free event to mark the five-year anniversary of the 2020 Derecho. The event will commemorate the impact the Derecho had on our city and residents, and celebrate coming together to support each other during a disaster.
On August 10, 2020, a devastating derecho damaged trees and homes in every Cedar Rapids neighborhood as part of a complex line of storms that reached wind speeds of up to 140 mph — equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane — and caused $7.5 billion in damage across the Midwest.
Friday’s gathering will reflect on the storm’s impact, which destroyed two-thirds of the city’s tree canopy, and recognize the ongoing recovery and reforestation efforts made possible through community support and partnerships…