Storm damage in Cedar Rapids. Photo courtesy of Cat Nelson.

Storm recovery continues over a week since the derecho caused damage to businesses, homes, and crops. Thousands of people are still without power in the Cedar Rapids and Marion area. Volunteers from the Washington area have been going to Cedar Rapids to assist with clean up.

Washington County Emergency Management Coordinator Marissa Reisen advises people to be careful around power lines even if they believe they aren’t active, “The big thing is, if there’s a power line down there’s no guarantee that even if power is out that that line is not live. And that’s one of the things that one of the Alliant guys said, we don’t know when that is going to get, you know it could fire up at any time. So, if you see a downed power line, stay away from it. It might not be live now, but it could be in two minutes.” She adds if there are downed trees with power lines on them, do not touch those trees or attempt to cut up those trees.

There’s a need for supplies in the Cedar Rapids area. On Sunday, Washington Community Center Facility Manager Cat Nelson delivered donations of bottled water, tarps, non-perishable food, coolers, flashlights, trash bags and more to those in need. She said that if there are other donations in Washington, they can be dropped off at the Washington Community Center today (8/18) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and she will transport them later this week.