Today marks the one year anniversary of a rare December severe weather event that spawned dozens of tornadoes across the state and cost $1 billion in wind damage.

The National Weather Service reports that the derecho that impacted 97 of Iowa’s 99 counties with warnings at one point was the first ever of its kind to form in the final month of any year of recorded weather history.

Six warnings impacted Marion and Warren Counties, which prompted more than two hours of consecutive Severe Weather Action Team coverage on KNIA/KRLS. Wind gusts between 60-70 MPH impacted local communities both during and after the storms, with damage to several trees, poles, roofs, and fences common in Pella, Knoxville, and Indianola, as well as Melcher-Dallas.

Also, the day leading up to the storm was historic — as the strongest wind gust in 50 years impacted the Des Moines airport from a non-thunderstorm breeze (74 MPH), and many record high temperatures were also recorded, including locally. Thermometers topped 74 degrees in Knoxville on December 15th, 2021 — the first time in 125 years temperatures topped the 70 mark locally in the month of December.

The event stands out as it formed the most-ever tornadoes reported in a single day in state history as well — regardless of the season, with 63 total. Read more here.