DES MOINES, Iowa — A powerful weather event, termed a derecho, swept through Iowa on August 10, 2020, leaving a path of destruction.

The severe storms spanned over 770 miles and lasted 14 hours, with sustained winds battering Central and Eastern Iowa for nearly an hour. The devastation saw significant damage to structures, crops, and trees, impacting communities across the state.

In the five years since, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has joined forces with local communities to rebuild the tree canopy lost during the storm. The DNR has introduced an interactive map titled “ 5 Years of Derecho Recovery .”

This tool showcases the extensive damage, the efforts of Iowa DNR and partner organizations in recovery, and the ongoing tree replacement initiatives.

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