The power was off just long enough to necessitate eating the ice cream, but not long enough to worry about the meat in the freezer.
Tuesday morning’s storm hit Iola with a vengeance leaving the south part of town without power the greater part of the morning. Other pockets, including parts of Meadowbrook, houses along North Walnut, and Redbud Lane, where a utility pole snapped, also had to muddle through, but for the most part Iola’s power lines survived the torrential rains and high winds. Almost an inch fell in an hour’s time. In the storm’s wake are downed tree limbs and branches across most of town.
“We’ll most likely have to do a citywide limb pickup,” said Corey Schinstock, whose role as assistant city manager has him in charge of such things.
The minute street crews ensured roads were cleared of storm debris they assisted electricians in repairing broken lines, he said.
That the bulk of the town’s electric lines survived the storm can be credited to the extensive and regular tree-trimming provided by the city.
Every year, the city budgets about $50,000 to have its trees trimmed. For the past two years the Poor Boy firm from Fair Play, Mo., has been awarded the project.
Yes, it seems a shame to trim back arching branches, and nothing looks worse than a sheared, lopsided tree, but if it means having electrical power delivered in a dependable manner, it’s worth it.
(It’s also a reminder to give ample space when planting saplings.)
— Susan Lynn
Stormy lessons
