Reach & Service Coverage
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292 households served
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9 communities served: Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha, Springville, Covington, Lisbon, Mt. Vernon, Alburnett, Shellsburg
Financial Investment & Funding
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3.35 million disbursed (plus $70,000 in progress)
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$1.44 million in private funding
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$2 million from public sources
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Up to $15,000 in forgivable loans per household
Service Outcomes
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34 homes repaired by Matthew 25
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39 homes supported by ECICOG
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24 homes served by NFC Cedar Rapids
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Construction management, loan servicing, and homeowner navigation provided collaboratively by local nonprofits and agencies
PATCH: Providing Assistance to Community Homeowners
In the aftermath of the derecho, LAP-AID members recognized the desperate need for homeowners to be supported in addressing critical home repairs. These concerns prompted a collaborative disaster recovery initiative called PATCH—Providing Assistance to Community Homeowners. Designed to support low- to moderate-income homeowners impacted by the storm, PATCH addressed critical repair needs that fell through the cracks of traditional disaster relief systems.
By Fall 2020, PATCH was formally launched. The Housing Fund for Linn County seeded the program with an initial $272,000 investment. As needs grew, additional funding from ECICOG, United Way of East Central Iowa, the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, the City of Cedar Rapids, and Linn County helped PATCH raise over $3.4 million to rebuild homes and restore stability.
PATCH united individuals and organizations who trusted one another and combined their unique strengths to create a community-driven recovery model. PATCH delivered critical recovery across Linn County through an extensive reach of service coverage, raising financial investments to aid funding, and leveraging direct services to homeowners affected by the disaster.
Linn County stands as a testament of resilience and community spirit.
The 2020 Linn County Derecho:
A Community's Resilience
On August 10, 2020, a derecho with wind speeds reaching 140 mph struck Linn County, Iowa.
The storm devastated all 75 square miles of Cedar Rapids, the largest city in Linn County, leaving no neighborhood untouched and impacting every resident. In the aftermath, people emerged to find fallen trees, destroyed homes, and streets that no longer resembled their own. Coming amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the storm added another layer of hardship to an already difficult year.
Members of LAP-AID met daily to coordinate a unified response to local needs. By gathering information from multiple nonprofits, they served as a central hub for connecting residents to vital resources. LAP-AID teams played a key role in supporting the City of Cedar Rapids’ Neighborhood Resource Centers by providing essential services, supplies, and volunteers. Through collaboration, they minimized duplication, streamlined efforts, and ensured that assistance reached residents as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Despite this disaster, the people of Linn County came together.
Neighbors helped neighbors, communities rallied, and recovery began—
driven by resilience, compassion, and a deep sense of solidarity.
The LAP-AID Derecho Slideshow commemorates the 5th Anniversary of this disaster by highlighting the collaborative response of partner organizations, volunteers, and community members who came together to provide critical services and support. It serves as both a record of the challenges faced and a testament to the resilience, compassion, and strength demonstrated as our community worked to
RECOVER, REBUILD, and REMEMBER.
On August 16, 2025, LAP-AID and Iowa Legal Aid presented the RECOVER.REBUILD.REMEMBER. Event at the Downtown Farmer's Market in Cedar Rapids to honor the 5th Anniversary of the derecho.
Grateful shout-outs to:
Linn County EMA
Iowa Legal Aid
HACAP
LAP-AID partner organizations
LAP-AID Leadership Team
CR Downtown Farmers Market Team
Special thanks to Casey Walker for creating this amazing recap video of the event.
On August 16, 2025, LAP-AID and
Iowa Legal Aid presented the RECOVER.REBUILD.REMEMBER. Event at the Downtown Farmer's Market in Cedar Rapids to honor the 5th Anniversary of the derecho.
Grateful shout-outs to:
Linn County EMA
Iowa Legal Aid
HACAP
LAP-AID partner organizations
LAP-AID Leadership Team
CR Downtown Farmers Market Team
Special thanks to Casey Walker for creating this amazing recap video of the event.