Waterloo Times

Much of Iowa sustained damage from a large cluster of thunderstorms that rumbled through the Hawkeye State on the night of Dec. 15.

Axios reported that the storm system created severe weather threats never before recorded in the state in December.

The line of thunderstorms prompted the National Weather Service to issue an uncharacteristic dozen-plus tornado warnings for Iowa, which fell under only two in December prior to this week, according to Axios.

At least five tornadoes were reported to have touched down in the state, with one person killed in Benton County, the website said.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources appealed in a tweet for residents to exercise caution when clearing downed trees.

“Hire a tree pro if you don't have the ability, experience, wear safety equipment, and hire an arborist to inspect standing trees for damage,” the department tweeted Dec. 16.

Des Moines’s KCCI reported that the storm system was officially declared a derecho by the National Weather Service.

A derecho, which in Spanish means “straight ahead,” is a widespread, long-lived wind storm that is associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service.

KCCI reported that 60,000 Iowans lacked power as of Dec. 16.