Derecho sounded a bit like Sirocco and they are related, along with Santa Ana's we have here. They're all straight-line potentially hurricane force winds, the apparent difference being where they originate and how they develop.

Sirocco winds carry dust from North Africa to Southern Europe. I experienced them in Spain, Italy and Greece. By the time they reached the Northern side of the Mediterranean the winds had slowed, but the dust was still there. So you get this dry, dusty wind coming off the sea.

Here in SOCAL we have Santa Ana winds, which are seriously dangerous during fire season. Hot dry winds pushing a fire -- don't be in the path.