Storm Prediction Center confirms QCA storm as derecho
QUAD CITIES, Iowa/Ill. (KWQC) - Officials confirmed that the storm that moved through the Quad Cities area Tuesday morning was a derecho.
The Storm Predication Center said the derecho moved from Eastern Iowa to Northern Indiana, according to a post on X.
The MCS that moved from E IA to northern IN today has been preliminarily confirmed as a derecho.
— NWS Storm Prediction Center (@NWSSPC) August 11, 2026
Based on the preliminary info thus far it began around 12Z this morning and continued to at least 1725 UTC.
The max measured gust received thus far was 86 kts (99 mph) in Gary, IN pic.twitter.com/2FHWqhkZ6N
In order for a storm to be classified as a derecho, according to the KWQC First Alert Weather Team, it must:
- Make a continuous swath of wind damage over at least 250 miles
- Have numerous reports of severe wind gusts 60 mph or stronger
- Include several areas with intense winds, over 75 mph
The National Weather Service in the Quad Cities said several areas saw 60-80 mph winds.
And while the storm impacted a majority of the TV 6 viewing area, the hardest hit in the viewing area were:
- Jackson County
- Clinton County
- Rock Island County
- Whiteside County
- Henry (Illinois) County
- Bureau County
KWQC crews were in Cambridge, Illinois, and Maquoketa, Iowa, Tuesday and saw the damage the storms left behind.
The storm damaged the public safety radio tower in Cambridge and Maquoketa city leaders declared a local community disaster period so the community can clean-up.
This comes almost six years after a damaging derecho moved through seven midwestern states, including Iowa and Illinois. Cedar Rapids was the hardest hit location during the entire event on Aug. 10, 2020.
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