How to help the victims of the devastating and deadly derecho storm that ripped across Nebraska, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan and Iowa, which was hit the hardest.

By Heather Newgen

On August 10th, an unexpected derecho–a widespread, long-lived wind storm, swept through several states. This extremely rare weather event produced 100+ mph winds for nearly an hour flattening crops in Iowa, destroying countless homes and causing millions in damage. In addition, three confirmed deaths have been reported in relation to the storm in Iowa and one person was killed in Indiana.

“The devastation is widespread. It’s intense. Block after block of houses, every one with some amount of damage. Trees piled 6 to 10 feet high along the road. It’s like walking through a tunnel of green with some fluorescent orange of placard houses that are unsafe to enter,” Tyler Olson, a city council member from Cedar Rapids, told NPR’s Weekend Edition.

Many residents in Iowa lost everything. They have no home and are living in tents with minimal supplies. Help is needed and there are several ways to give back.

Table to Table needs volunteers to help deliver food to people Cedar Rapids, a town seriously affected by the storm. The organization, which seeks to keep food from going to waste, is also accepting donations.

United Way of East Central Iowa can use volunteers to help clean up debris, delivering and cooking food to people in need.

The Disaster Behavioral Health Response Team is looking for volunteers with a background in human services, psychology, mental health, substance abuse, social work, education or spirituality to help provide mental health services following a disaster.

The Iowa Derecho Storm Resource page on Facebook is a great resource that connects people with services. You can also find volunteering opportunities and hear directly from locals what they need.

Donate to the Eastern Iowa Diaper Bank or purchase something from its Amazon wish list to get diapers and wipes to families.