In a recent government meeting, officials provided a detailed update on the aftermath of the severe storm that struck on June 17th, highlighting the effective coordination among emergency services and the commendable response from summer camp counselors at Lions Park. During the storm, 16 large trees fell at the park, prompting counselors to implement emergency management protocols, ensuring the safety of all attendees.
The storm resulted in a total loss of 24 trees across local parks, with 16 at Lions Park and 8 at Howe Park. A tree contractor was engaged to manage the cleanup, which took five days to complete. Officials noted that the cleanup efforts were not budgeted, indicating a potential need for re-appropriation of funds due to the unexpected costs associated with the storm damage.
The street department contributed nearly 90 hours to the cleanup, which is expected to conclude in the coming days. FirstEnergy was praised for restoring power to most residents by late evening on the day of the storm, although some experienced outages lasting up to 21 hours.
During the meeting, officials addressed questions regarding debris cleanup options for homeowners. Residents can hire a contractor, handle the cleanup themselves by taking debris to designated locations, or bundle smaller branches for regular trash pickup, provided they meet specific size requirements.
Overall, the meeting underscored the community's resilience and the importance of preparedness in the face of natural disasters.