Mid-South Derecho of 2003 facts for kids
 Damage to the Gibson Memphis Showcase following the storm. Damage to the FedExForum (still under construction) can be seen in the background.
|
|
| Date(s) | July 22, 2003 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 7 hours (3:00 AM-10:00 AM) |
| Peak wind gust (measured) | 102 mph (164 km/h; 45.6 m/s) (Memphis, Tennessee) |
| Fatalities | 7 total |
| Damage costs | $500 million |
| Areas affected | United States Mid-south |
The Mid-South Derecho of 2003 was a very strong wind storm that hit parts of the southern United States. It mainly affected areas like southwestern Tennessee and northern Mississippi, especially around Memphis. A derecho is a widespread, long-lasting wind storm that moves quickly in a straight line. This powerful storm caused 7 deaths and a lot of damage across the region.
Contents
The Powerful Storm
On July 22, 2003, a fast-moving derecho hit several counties. These included Crittenden in Arkansas and DeSoto in Mississippi. It also struck Fayette and Shelby Counties in Tennessee, which includes the city of Memphis. The storm brought very strong straight-line winds, blowing over 100 miles per hour (160 km/h). It passed through the area between 6 and 7 in the morning.
Impact of the Storm
After the storm, over 300,000 homes in Shelby County lost power. This was about 70% of all homes there. Two people died directly because of the storm. Sadly, more deaths happened due to accidents related to the power outage, like fires.
This storm was similar to other strong wind events. For example, a derecho hit Kansas City, Missouri in June 1982. Another one affected St. Louis, Missouri on July 19, 2006.
Why It Was Called "Hurricane Elvis"
The storm became known locally as "Hurricane Elvis." This was because its winds were as strong as a Category 2 hurricane. When the storm crossed the Mississippi River into Downtown Memphis, a boat recorded an unofficial wind speed of 108 mph (174 km/h).
It was a funny coincidence that the National Hurricane Center had just named the "D" storm of that year "Danny" two days before. So, the next real hurricane, Hurricane Erika (2003), would also start with an "E." Even with the nickname, the National Weather Service officially calls it the "Mid South Derecho of 2003."
After the Storm
It took about two weeks to get power back for many people. Temperatures were very hot, reaching over 90°F (32°C). This left many residents without air conditioning or fans. The storm caused a lot of damage and was one of the worst to ever hit Memphis.
Many people in Memphis were upset because the event did not get much national news coverage. A.C. Wharton, who was the mayor of Shelby County, said he felt "lonely." He felt that from a national view, it seemed like the storm never happened. He said they suffered a "dry-land hurricane." Yet, other less severe events, like a short power outage in New York City less than a month later, got a lot of national attention.
FEMA Dispute
In 2009, the United States Department of Homeland Security said that the city of Memphis owed the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) $2 million. They claimed Memphis had not properly spent money given to help clean up after the storm.
