Galesburg DPW outlines tornado response: five-day outage, generator rental and park damage

DPW Supervisor Ranes told the City Council on June 2 that the department executed a multi-phase response after a recent tornado: getting a backup generator hooked to wells and the lift station (the city ultimately rented a working unit after the primary generator failed), keeping roads passable, coordinating with Consumers Energy on line removals, and arranging contracted curbside clean-up for residential debris.

Ranes said the community experienced a five-day power outage. Trombly Tree Service assisted immediately, removing dangerous limbs from parks, cemeteries, fire hydrants and roadways at no charge; Ranes thanked the company for their help. He said Ike Payne Park sustained considerable canopy damage and that the city will need to consider removing several pine trees in the park at a future council meeting because their tops were shreddered by the storm.

Ranes outlined four phases of the response: (1) emergency generator hookup for wells and the lift station, (2) ensuring roads were open and safe, (3) clearing trees and downed lines after Consumers Energy work, and (4) contracted residential curbside clean-up. He recommended the city plan for five dumpsters for future spring Dump Day to handle overflow, based on recent demand.

Ranes also reported that both he and DPW Technician Bryan Free passed state drinking-water tests; Free said he would pursue higher certification levels in the future. The council acknowledged the report; several follow-up items — including assessment of damaged park trees and future dumpster planning — will return to a future meeting.