--- title: What is a derecho? Tips on how to better prepare your business description: Derecho storms, characterized by severe winds and intense thunderstorm activity, pose significant business risks by impacting operations, structures and supply chains. image: https://afb.accuweather.com/hubfs/derecho.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/what-is-a-derecho-tips-on-how-to-prepare-your-business#main-content) [![accuweather-business-white-01](https://afb.accuweather.com/hubfs/Website/accuweather-business-white-01.svg "accuweather-business-white-01")](https://afb.accuweather.com/) - [Learn & Support](https://afb.accuweather.com/learn-support) Learn & Support [Overview](https://afb.accuweather.com/learn-support) - [Case Studies](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/case-studies) - [Webinars](https://www.accuweather.com/en/blogs-webinars/welcome-to-accuweathers-webinar-hub/1692349) - [Press Releases](https://corporate.accuweather.com/newsroom/press-releases/) - [Blog](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/blogs-webinars) [![accu-winter-events](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website/accu-winter-events.jpg?width=90&height=90&name=accu-winter-events.jpg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/webinar-winter-risk-mitigation-services) Webinar [Take the Worry out of Winter: Risk Mitigation](https://afb.accuweather.com/webinar-winter-risk-mitigation-services) [![accu-hurricane-events](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website/accu-hurricane-events.jpg?width=90&height=90&name=accu-hurricane-events.jpg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/hurricane-relief-tips-how-your-business-can-help-without-becoming-a-victim) Blog [How your business can help without becoming a victim](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/hurricane-relief-tips-how-your-business-can-help-without-becoming-a-victim) - [Let's Get Started](https://afb.accuweather.com/lets-get-started) - [Learn & Support](https://afb.accuweather.com/learn-support) - [Case Studies](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/case-studies) - [Webinars](https://www.accuweather.com/en/blogs-webinars/welcome-to-accuweathers-webinar-hub/1692349) - [Press Releases](https://corporate.accuweather.com/newsroom/press-releases/) - [Blog](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/blogs-webinars) [Home](https://afb.accuweather.com/)  /  [Featured](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tag/featured)  /  [SkyGuard](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tag/skyguard) # What is a derecho? Tips on how to better prepare your business Posted by [Adrianne Burke](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/author/adrianne-burke) on Jul 17, 2024 ![derecho](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/derecho.jpg?width=2000&name=derecho.jpg) Summary ## Derecho pose significant business risks by impacting operations, structures and supply chains. Key Highlights #### Derechos bring torrential rain, large hail and frequent lightning, but their most distinguishing feature is the presence of severe, damaging winds #### These storms generate fast-moving, linear storm complexes stretching hundreds of miles #### Derechos can cause severe damage to manufacturing facilities, disrupt production lines and lead to delays and decreased output Severe weather events can unleash devastating consequences on businesses, leading to substantial financial losses and potential safety hazards. Derechos stand out as powerful forces capable of wreaking havoc across large areas. ## What is a derecho? A derecho is a long-lived, straight-line windstorm characterized by intense thunderstorm activity. Derechos bring torrential rain, large hail and frequent lightning. However, their most distinguishing feature is the presence of severe, damaging winds, with speeds reaching 60-100 mph or more. ## Derechos leave behind a trail of destruction The impact of derecho on businesses can be substantial. To better understand their effects, let's examine how they impact various industry sectors such as manufacturing, construction and outdoor events. - **Manufacturing:** Derechos can wreak havoc on manufacturing facilities. High winds can cause severe damage to structures, disrupt production lines and make equipment inoperable. The resulting downtime leads to costly repairs, delays in production, decreased output and potential customer dissatisfaction. - **Construction:** Construction projects are particularly vulnerable to derechos. These storms can cause scaffolding to collapse, scatter materials, and even compromise partially built structures, leading to safety hazards for workers. This could also lead to project delays and increased costs. - **Outdoor Events:** Derechos pose a significant risk to outdoor events such as festivals, concerts and sports gatherings. Strong winds can damage temporary structures, stages and equipment, putting event attendees and participants at risk. Event cancellations or disruptions disappoint attendees and result in financial losses for organizers, vendors and the local economy. Being prepared for the impact of derecho events on business operations is essential. It is a good idea to make sure you have an emergency and business continuity plan in place. If you don’t have these plans, [AccuWeather For Business](https://afb.accuweather.com/) can help you create them or help you update your current plans. Contact our expert to [schedule a consultation.](https://calendly.com/accuweatherforbusiness/bcp-consultation?month=2023-06) ## Be better prepared with AccuWeather For Business Is your business ready for the next big storm? Let [AccuWeather For Business](https://afb.accuweather.com/) keep you better prepared. [AccuWeather's SkyGuard® Warnings](https://afb.accuweather.com/accuweather-skyguard), backed by [Superior Accuracy™](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/give-your-business-the-advantage-of-accuweathers-superior-accuracy), can deliver site-specific alerts and warnings before severe weather hits, giving you much-needed time to put your emergency plans into place. Want to learn more? Demo [SkyGuard](https://afb.accuweather.com/accuweather-skyguard) today.      ## Is your business ready for the next big storm? ### Demo SkyGuard today.  ## The latest from AccuWeather For Business [![severe thunderstorm](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GettyImages-474392807-1.jpg?width=506&height=265&name=GettyImages-474392807-1.jpg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/get-ahead-of-the-storm-protect-your-business-from-costly-disruptions-to-your-supply-chain-transportation-and-logistics) ### [Stay ahead of the storm: Protect your business from costly disruptions to your supply chain, transportation, and logistics](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/get-ahead-of-the-storm-protect-your-business-from-costly-disruptions-to-your-supply-chain-transportation-and-logistics) PREVENT SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS Whether you realize it or not, climate change and supply chains... [Read More](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/get-ahead-of-the-storm-protect-your-business-from-costly-disruptions-to-your-supply-chain-transportation-and-logistics) --- 4 minute read • Oct 16, 2023 [![tornado](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GettyImages-1341326435%20%282%29.jpg?width=506&height=265&name=GettyImages-1341326435%20%282%29.jpg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/reducing-the-impact-of-tornadoes-on-your-supply-chain) ### [Reducing the impact of tornadoes on your supply chain and logistics](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/reducing-the-impact-of-tornadoes-on-your-supply-chain) TORNADO THREAT ON SUPPLY CHAIN [Read More](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/reducing-the-impact-of-tornadoes-on-your-supply-chain) --- 2 minute read • Apr 28, 2023 [![](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GettyImages-535057762%20%281%29.jpg?width=506&height=265&name=GettyImages-535057762%20%281%29.jpg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tornadoes-101-what-is-a-tornado) ### [TORNADOES 101: What is a tornado, and how can your business better prepare for one?](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tornadoes-101-what-is-a-tornado) DEVASTATING TORNADOES In March 2023, dozens of tornadoes ripped through communities in several... [Read More](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tornadoes-101-what-is-a-tornado) --- 4 minute read • Mar 28, 2023 ## Want our stories delivered straight to you? Subscribe to our blog today! [![accuweather-business-all-white](https://afb.accuweather.com/hubfs/Website/accuweather-business-all-white.svg "accuweather-business-all-white")](https://afb.accuweather.com/) AFB PORTAL [LOGIN](https://enterpriseportal-v2.accuweather.com/login.html) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/AccuWeather/) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/accuweather-for-business/) [Follow us on Twitter](https://www.twitter.com/accuweather) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/accuweather/?hl=en) - [Learn & Support](https://afb.accuweather.com/learn-support) - [Case Studies](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/case-studies) - [Webinars](https://www.accuweather.com/en/blogs-webinars/welcome-to-accuweathers-webinar-hub/1692349) - [Press Releases](https://corporate.accuweather.com/newsroom/press-releases/) - [Blog](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/blogs-webinars) © 2026 AccuWeather, Inc. - [AccuWeather.com](https://www.accuweather.com/) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.accuweather.com/en/privacy) - [Terms of Use](https://www.accuweather.com/en/legal) - [Cookie Preferences](https://www.accuweather.com/en/cookiepolicy) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Adrianne Burke", "url" : "https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/author/adrianne-burke" }, "dateModified" : "2024-07-17T17:00:00.574Z", "datePublished" : "2024-07-17T17:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "What is a derecho? Tips on how to better prepare your business", "image" : [ "https://afb.accuweather.com/hubfs/derecho.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/what-is-a-derecho-tips-on-how-to-prepare-your-business", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://afb.accuweather.com/hubfs/AW_Horiz_Transparent_Logo.png" }, "name" : "AccuWeather" } } ```