On August 10, a derecho, a violent thunderstorm complex with winds over 100 mph, devastated scores of communities in Iowa. Cedar Rapids, a city of more than 130,000 people, was among the hardest-hit areas.

On evening of March 28 th , 2020, a supercell thunderstorm produced several tornados in Arkansas, the most significant being an EF-3 tornado that ripped through Jonesboro. With winds up to 140 mph, the twister left a path of destruction for over 12 miles, damaging homes, businesses, and the local airport.

This deployment hit close to home, as our own Director of Disaster Coordination, Dewayne Daniel, lives in the area. After ensuring his own family and home were okay, Dewayne put on his OBR hat and shifted gears, talking with local authorities and assessing feeding needs immediately the following day.

While most of the areas were self-sufficient, OBR was proud to provide 1700 meals, with the help of Q49 Smokehouse, to first responders and impacted residents.