Families tell their stories as storm cleanup continues

A large tree on Sarah Switzer’s Deerfield home was a testament to the severity of Tuesday’s storm, which caused downed power lines and trees, widespread power outages and property damage.

Southern Vigo County was among areas especially hard hit.

The area where Switzer lives has many trees, but the family didn’t anticipate the destruction of Tuesday’s storm.

“There is extensive damage to the roof which will have to be replaced, the entire attic has to be replaced” and several rooms will need work, she said. “The trees we thought would fall, didn’t fall.”

The repairs will take time.

On Friday, a tree removal company was onsite and indications were that power could be restored later in the day, she said.

The neighborhood had significant tree damage and trees on power lines.

“Thankfully, no one was hurt,” Switzer said. Some of her neighbors also had significant damage to their homes and vehicles, and Switzer expressed concern for all those recovering from the storm’s wrath.

“I wanted my trees down, but not this way,” she said.

On Friday, an armada of tree removal businesses, Duke Energy workers and contractors descended on the neighborhood and nearby southside neighborhoods.

By 5:30 p.m. Friday, the number of Duke Energy Vigo County customers without power had dropped to 41, with estimated time of restoration by 5 a.m. Saturday.

Some of those still without power received a message from the utility that “the severity of damage in your area requires additional work before service can be restored.”

In some cases, vegetation had to be cleared and tree removal had to take place before power could be restored.

As of Friday at 5:30 p.m., 77 Vigo County WIN Energy REMC customers remained without power from Tuesday’s storm.

“Crews will continue to work until all power is restored,” according to a WIN news release. “Please make appropriate provisions as some members will remain without power Friday night due to extensive damage.”

Vigo County Commissioner Chris Switzer reported that all county roads were clear. “Some areas might be a tight squeeze until we get some heavy equipment out next week to move some bigger trees further away from the roadway,” he said.

He added, “Seventy-two hours after the storm and nearly all customers are restored and roadways are safe for travel. We will strike that up as a significant win,” he said. “I hope people take advantage of the south garage for limb disposal next week.”

Vigo County has announced a limb disposal site has been established at the highway garage at 10970 S. Sullivan Place. It will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday of next week.

It is free for Vigo County residents, but professional tree trimmers will need to dispose of debris in their usual manner.

Commissioner Mark Clinkenbeard said that highway crews are starting the long process of picking up debris in right of ways.

“Local governments, utilities and citizens worked together great in the aftermath of the storm,” Clinkenbeard said.

In the city of Terre Haute, employees have started transitioning from focusing on opening roads, streets and alleys to removing brush and limbs, said Mayor Brandon Sakbun.

“We have multiple teams deployed throughout the city with chippers, mowers, dump trucks, and more. We have made major progress the last 72 hours but acknowledge this job is far from over,” he said.

Sakbun added, “We remain in contact with our utility partners to ensure downed lines are removed prior to our employees clearing any storm damage.”

Jesse Walker, WTWO-TV 2 meteorologist, says that during Tuesday’s storm, the peak measured wind gust in Monroe County was 78 miles per hour. “I still say southern Vigo County had between 70-80 mile-per-hour (winds).”

The storm produced straight line winds with some hail northwest of Terre Haute that did damage. “There were no tornadoes in the system,” Walker said.