Derecho Recovery - ROOTs, Replanting & Environmental Healing Underway
Derecho Recovery - ROOTs, Replanting & Environmental Healing Underway
February 15, 2024
Work continues across the City following the devastating 2020 Derecho. Major milestones — including tree and debris removal, unhealthy tree removal, stump grinding, and right-of-way tree trimming — are complete. Ongoing healing efforts include the ReLeaf effort to restore our tree canopy and the ROOTs program to restore lost housing stock.
Bookmark this page, as it will be frequently updated with the latest information.
Recent Updates
February 15, 2024 — The City of Cedar Rapids announced the opening of applications for the next iteration of the ROOTs program. ROOTs aims to assist with long-term recovery from the 2020 Derecho by providing resilient and affordable single-family housing to low-to-moderate-income households. Learn more.
October 2, 2023 — The City has concluded right-of-way Derecho stump removals, with 10,481 stumps removed. Learn more.
Underway: ReLeaf Cedar Rapids
The ReLeaf plan provides a "green print" for leaders, volunteers, Trees Forever, and citizens to follow while rebuilding a health tree canopy. The plan includes planting of 42,000 trees along Cedar Rapids streets and in City parks.
Underway: ROOTs
Rebuilding Ownership Opportunities Together (ROOTs) aims to assist with long-term recovery from the 2020 Derecho by providing resilient and affordable single-family housing to low-to-moderate-income households.
Underway: Drainageway Cleanup
The City is working to cleanup drainageways with lingering tree debris.
Completed: Stump Grinding & Site Restoration
Staff from the Public Works and Parks & Recreation Departments teamed up with private contractors to grind stumps in the public right-of-way and restore lawns following the work.
Completed: Tree Debris Removal
Neighborhood collection is complete. Learn about property owners' responsibilities and find resources for those in need to connect with additional help.
Completed: Non-organic Debris Removal
Curbside collection is complete. Find additional resources for disposal of nonorganic debris.
Completed: Public tree inspections, trimming & removal
Tree inspections are complete. Healthy trees were trimmed and dangerous trees removed.
Information on this Page
Jump to: FAQs | Mulch & Compost | Community Resources & Services | Media Releases | Archive Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Department, Division Phone Numbers- Parks & Recreation | Stump grinding, right-of-way replanting: 319-286-5747
- Utilities, Solid Waste & Recycling | Tree debris nuisance abatement: 319-286-5897
- Building Services | Building permits: 319-286-5831
- Public Works, Right-of-Way | Right-of-way permits: 319-286-5777
Mulch & Compost
- FREE compost and mulch available at the Linn County Solid Waste Agency while supplies last: solidwasteagency.org | 319-398-5163
Community Resources
- Community Resources Remain Available for Derecho Assistance
- PATCH Program - Housing Rehabilitation
A donation-based program that assists homeowners with repairs or a gap loan for repairs: http://www.ecicog.org/patch.html - Tree Removal Assistance
For tree removal needs on private property, the City is collaborating with United Way of East Central Iowa and Waypoint to match resident needs to volunteer groups with the appropriate skills. Please contact Waypoint at 319-366-7999 for additional information. - Community Resource | Together We Achieve | 319-432-9754 | 1150 27th Ave SW
City Services
- Building Permits | (319) 286-5929 | home repair resource page
- Right-of-Way Permits (driveway, sidewalk work, etc.) | ROW permits
Private Utility Resources
- IMON | 319-298-6484 | service@imon.net
- Iowa Communication Network | 800-572-3940 | icnservicedesk@iowa.gov
- ITC Midwest | 319-297-6843 | clovell@itctransco.com
- CenturyLink | 1-800-244-1111
- Mediacom | 855-MEDIACOM
- Linn County Rec | 888-271-6250 | https://www.linncountyrec.com/service-and-reliability/outage-management
- MidAmerican | 1-888-427-5632
- Alliant Energy Street Lights | https://www.alliantenergy.com/CustomerService/AlliantEnergyService/OutageCenter/RequestaStreetlightRepair
Archival Derecho Information
Find archive information related to disaster-recovery efforts, including minute-by-minute crisis communications, media releases, and press conferences.
