Listeners of Eastern Iowa radio stations 105.7 KOKZ and News/Talk 1540 KXEL have stepped up to help those affected by August Derecho storms. A Derecho is a widespread, long-lived, straight-line wind storm that is associated with a fast-moving group of severe thunderstorms.
Winds topping 140 mph that struck the heart of Iowa with the force of a Category 4 hurricane on August 10, caused extensive damage to communities along the U.S. Highway 30 corridor. 105.7 KOKZ and News/Talk 1540 KXEL sold more than 400 Derecho-themed t-shirts raising more than $4,000 in proceeds going to aid rural communities still recovering from the disaster.
‘Iowa—Our Hurricanes Don’t Need Water’, shirts were the idea of KXEL News & Program Director Jeff Stein who saw first hand the on-going need.
“Iowa literally feeds the world, and the devastation from the Derecho struck at the heart of our rural areas,” said Stein. “This is our way to recognize communities all along the U.S. Highway 30 corridor that deserve attention.”
“We feel fortunate our listeners are so loyal and generous,” said Allyson Hillman, Market Manager. “Being locally owned and operated meant we saw the devastation and wanted to provide outreach to all of our listening audience, especially those in the rural areas of our communities.”
