The effect of last week’s strong winds is still evident in Iowa as the residents live without any power. The strong winds of the derecho storm are causing worries since last Monday in the hardest-hit city of Cedar Rapids. With no power restoration in-sight, Iowans disposed of their stored grocery and now face the scarring heat. Last Monday, winds reaching 100 mph unleashed their wrath on the houses, trees, and, most importantly, the Midwest’s power lines. Since then, more than a million people are living without electricity in Iowa.
The power restoration work will be complete by Tuesday midnight, hopefully. But the residents living in the shelter are waiting for aid from the government to renovate their houses. Almost 800 buildings suffered damage in Cedar Rapids alone, including blown roofs, broken walls, and collapsed floors. Everyone can’t handle the damage amid the collapsing economy after the recent pandemic outbreak. Therefore, they depend on the government’s aid to help them return to a normal life.
The President will hopefully visit Iowa on Tuesday to take a look at the extent of the damage. Many residents remain hopeful that he will issue some financial help to rebuild the state. Currently, those safely living in their homes are helping in clearing the debris and taking care of the injured. But power restoration remains the top priority because of the summer heat and lack of internet connectivity. As most people are working from home after the coronavirus pandemic, 24/7 internet service is now a basic necessity of life. The area currently looks like a battlefield, and people turn their heads toward the officials impatiently for immediate help.
Update:
Since our last report, there has been no change in the conditions in Iowa. Even though President Donald Trump was present in the city to assess the damage, the city is still waiting for a regular power supply. Around 20,000 people are waiting for the restoration of electricity as they continue to suffer from the heat. Moreover, only the volunteers are working in Iowa City to clean up the debris with minimal help from the authorities.
The cost of the repair works amounts to more than $6 million, and the President was happy to lend Federal aid. He even said that the Iowa people are one of his most loyal voters, and he will help them in record time. However, the reality still stands far from the words. Even after the visit and announcement of President, Iowa is waiting for life to get back to normal. The aftermath of the derecho storm was worse in Cedar Rapids, where people lost even the cellphone connectivity. Fallen trees and broken lines are still telling the story of an unforgiving destruction while the residents wait for the help to arrive.