Midwest Derecho Knocks Out Power for 1 Million, Bringing 99-mph Winds to Indiana

Q: How did rapid floodwaters in Ohio tragically prevent emergency crews from reaching a trapped resident before it was too late?

Rapid floodwaters in Roseville, Ohio, cut off access routes and kept first responders from reaching a resident who was suffering a medical emergency. Gov. Mike DeWine said the person died because crews “could not get to that individual,” with flooded roads blocking emergency vehicles before help could arrive. Reporting tied the death to the broader flash flooding that followed the Aug. 11 derecho. Perry and Muskingum counties were hit especially hard, with roads inundated, homes flooded and rescue operations requiring boats and National Guard support. Authorities said emergency crews were carrying out searches, evacuations and water rescues across the area, but in this case the speed and depth of the flooding prevented timely access to the apartment building. The death underscored how the storm’s impact in Ohio went beyond wind damage and power outages. In addition to the straight-line winds from the derecho, repeated heavy rain triggered severe flooding that stranded residents and overwhelmed normal emergency response routes.

3 articles · Updated · Des Moines Register · Aug 12

More than 1 million power outages were reported after an Aug. 11 derecho swept from eastern Iowa through Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, leaving widespread damage across the Midwest.
In Iowa, more than 20,000 customers in the Quad Cities were still without power Wednesday morning, and Maquoketa declared a local disaster period as crews cleared debris.
Gary, Indiana, recorded wind gusts near 99 mph, and the National Weather Service said three EF-1 tornadoes also touched down in Delaware County, Iowa, during the storm.
Indiana reported at least one death tied to the storms, while Portage urged residents to limit travel and Ohio declared an emergency in two counties after flooding prompted searches and evacuations.