Derecho blasts dozens of Northern Plains communities with hurricane-force wind gusts
NOAA's Storm Prediction Center said it received at least 62 reports of winds gusting to 75 mph or higher from Nebraska through Minnesota.
Derecho unleashes over 100-mph wind gusts across the Northern Plains
A powerful storm system called a derecho moving through the Northern Plains Thursday produced the second-highest number of hurricane-force wind gusts in a single day on record since at least 2004.
A destructive damaging-wind event called a derecho blasted the Northern Plains on Thursday, producing the second-highest number of hurricane-force wind gusts in a single day on record since at least 2004, which left many residents without power and caused at least one death.
NOAA's Storm Prediction Center said it received at least 62 reports of winds gusting to 75 mph or higher from Nebraska through Minnesota.
A map showing all 62 reports of 75-plus-mph wind gusts on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
(FOX Weather)
The destructive winds helped push a wall of dust into the air, caused tractor-trailers to flip and knocked over trees and power lines in at least seven states.
PowerOutage.US reported more than 177,000 electric outages, with South Dakota and Minnesota appearing to be the hardest hit.
Wind gusts of more than 75 mph knocked over power lines across parts of North Dakota and Minnesota on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
(FOX Weather)
Emergency management in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, said at least one person was killed after a grain bin fell on their car near the rural town of Blomkest.
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Many of the destructive wind gusts were caused by a derecho that impacted 576 miles of mostly rural and agricultural lands.
The May 12, 2022, derecho generated 576 miles of wind damage across the Northern Plains.
(FOX Weather)
The highest reported wind gust clocked in at 107 mph just north of the Nebraska-South Dakota border in Tripp, South Dakota.
The highest reported wind gust during the May 12, 2022, derecho was clocked at 107 mph in Tripp, South Dakota.
(FOX Weather)
The event was similar in severity to a derecho that moved across the Plains and Mississippi Valley in December 2021, which holds the record for the highest number of hurricane-force wind gusts in a single day.
The December event produced 64 reports of winds gusting to at least 75 mph, which led to power outages lasting several days.
National Weather Service meteorologists consider thunderstorm wind gusts of at least 58 mph to be damaging and will issue a Severe Thunderstorm Warning to alert the affected region.
Meteorologists say winds of 75 mph or higher can peel off roofs on poorly built structures, uproot trees, down power lines and even overturn unsecured mobile homes and RVs.
DEALING WITH STORM-DAMAGED TREES? THIS COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE AND YOUR WALLET
If your property sustained damage, experts suggest contacting your insurance company as soon as possible to determine what damages will be covered.
It is also essential to take photos and document the damage before cleanup begins.
Recap of deadly derecho that slammed the Northern Plains
FOX Weather’s Ian Oliver takes a look Thursday’s deadly derecho that resulted in widespread damage for the Northern Plains.