A derecho that recently tore through Marion did visible damage to an estimated 95% of properties in the community. | Stock photo
A derecho that recently tore through Marion did visible damage to an estimated 95% of properties in the community. | Stock photo
Marion was one of the hardest hit of Iowa’s communities by recent storms, with an estimated 95% of homes and buildings damaged by the derecho that swept through town.
The initial inspections by city officials focused on simply trying to get an idea of how many structures and properties had been damaged, according to The Gazette’s reporting on a statement from City Manager Lon Pluckhahn. Initially, they were just trying to get an inventory of the identifiable damage, with more in-depth inspections to follow.
He also estimated the damage to just city properties to be at least $2 million, according to The Gazette.
The cost for just cleanup of debris left by the storm in areas the city is responsible for was estimated at $3 million by Mayor Nick AbouAssaly, according to The Gazette, and that will be in addition to the costs of individual property owners.
“When I see the damage to our town, I’m completely heartbroken,” AbouAssaly said.
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