Severe Thunderstorm Warning 'Derechos' Looms Over Central, Eastern Regions: What Is It And Should the US Be Concerned?

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for parts of the central and eastern United States, with meteorologists warning of a potential derecho, a rare and destructive storm system that can pack hurricane-force winds.

As the National Weather Service (NWS) predicts gusts exceeding 60 mph (97 kph), capable of causing damage similar to that of tornadoes, residents are urged to prepare, as recent derechos caused millions in damage and loss of life.

Defining the Derecho Threat

A derecho is a long-lived line of thunderstorms that produces straight-line winds exceeding 58 mph (93 kph) over a path of at least 240 miles (400 km), according to the NWS.

'A derecho is a long-lived line of storms that often produces extreme wind damage. There have been instances where derechos have moved from Iowa to Washington, D.C.' said Gino Izzi, a meteorologist at the NWS's Chicago office, in an Alpena News interview.

Unlike tornadoes, which cause narrow damage paths, derechos can devastate areas over 100 miles (160 km) wide, lasting eight hours or more.

A 2020 derecho, sweeping from Nebraska to Illinois, especially the Cedar Rapids area, was particularly hard hit. Several homes, apartment complexes, and businesses sustained damage consistent with 130-140 mph winds as per NWS.

Posts on X from @myrddenbuckley reflect the severity: 'Because of the intense straight-line winds and vast distances a derecho can travel, the damage they cause is sometimes comparable to the destructive forces of tornadoes or hurricanes.'

The central and eastern US, particularly the Midwest, face these storms most often in summer, fueled by heat and humidity.

Recent Impacts and Current Risks

The NWS's Storm Prediction Centre issued a Level 4 of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms across South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa on 28 July 2025, citing potential hurricane-force gusts up to 90 mph (145 kph), per CNN.

These storms, which spawned three tornadoes in rural areas, caused golf ball-sized hail and flash flooding in Minneapolis-St. Paul.

A 2021 derecho in the Great Plains killed five and spawned 45 tornadoes, costing £380 million ($500 million) in damages.

'A likely derecho is unfolding across N IA tonight. This looks like the intense, damaging thunderstorm wind event we feared would evolve given the ingredients earlier,' posted @mcreard on X.

The Weather Prediction Centre also flagged a Level 2 of 4 risk for flash flooding, with saturated soils exacerbating threats in urban areas.

While the storms are expected to weaken by 30 July, as they move into the Great Lakes, their potential for widespread destruction remains high.

Should the US Be Concerned?

Derechos, though rarer than the 1,000 annual US tornadoes, pose unique dangers due to their scale.

A 2009 'Super Derecho' from Kansas to Kentucky caused £380 million ($500 million) in damages, per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Unlike hurricanes, derechos offer little warning, making preparation critical.

'It can go from nice, calm weather to 100 miles per hour winds blowing down trees in literally a matter of minutes,' advised Izzi.

The National Geographic notes that derechos can knock out power for millions, as seen in a 2012 storm affecting Chicago to the mid-Atlantic.

With climate-driven heat intensifying storms, the US faces growing risks. However, only 1–2 derechos occur annually, suggesting that targeted preparedness in high-risk zones, such as the Midwest, can mitigate impacts; however, vigilance is essential given their unpredictable nature.