The First Named Derecho July 31, 1877 - The severe windstorm crossing Iowa that Prof. Gustavus Hinrichs identified as something special, and named the “derecho” for its straight (rather than spiraling) winds.
Yep. The 2012 Derecho destroyed power for millions of people. I remember my own power being out, and driving to work, my own vision was provided nearly entirely by my own headlights. Damn near the entire power grid along my commute route (36 miles) was down. What a mess!