Blythewood Community Rallies Together After Storm Damage
On a chilly Friday morning, the small town of Winnsboro woke up to the unrelenting roar of a fierce storm that left many residents in a bind. With the storm raging on, the Town’s emergency staff didn’t waste a second, quickly jumping into action. Town Manager Chris Clauson reported that the electric crews were mobilized promptly as power began to flicker out around 4:30 a.m. The situation took a significant turn when the water plant and reservoir also suffered a power outage, depleting the water tanks. Thankfully, the town was able to switch to the City of Columbia’s water supply, ensuring that residents wouldn’t go without basic necessities.
It Takes a Village
The storm’s aftermath brought many challenges to the town, but it also showcased the strength and dedication of the local workforce. Departments such as Streets and Sanitation, Vehicle Maintenance, and the diligent Public Safety Officers came out en masse to support the Electric Department in restoring power.
As they worked tirelessly, they faced a serious setback when a segment of the Town’s water system’s pressure dropped below safe limits, necessitating a boil water advisory. The storm left about 3,100 customers temporarily without power out of the 3,300 electric customers in the Town’s service area. Some areas experienced longer outages, particularly around the county administration building, the 911 Call Center, and the Forest Hills neighborhood, where fallen trees caused significant damage to the power lines.
Outsourcing Help
As the hours went by, it became evident that local resources were stretched thin. The Town staff decided to reach out for outside assistance. Two electric crews from Higginsville and Macon, Missouri, answered the call and arrived by Sunday afternoon when approximately 1,100 customers were still without power. Thanks to their collective efforts, by Monday afternoon, power was finally restored to nearly all customers, with just a few exceptions where individual issues were preventing power reinstatement.
Appreciation for the Team
Throughout the chaos, individuals like Michael Dean and Trip Peak from the Gas, Water, and Sewer Department, worked tirelessly over the weekend, addressing problems that arose from the storm’s wreckage. Clauson remarked on the dedication displayed by the Electric Department linemen, who clocked in grueling 14 to 16-hour days to get power back on.
Moreover, the collaborative efforts of Calvin Johnson and the Streets and Sanitation crew, along with Jeff Mincey and the Vehicle Maintenance team, proved essential. They removed debris from roads and cleared pathways for the electric crews to tackle outages efficiently. “Our employees went above and beyond during the storm and resulting outages and damage, and we couldn’t be prouder of their efforts and the work they did,” Clauson reflected.
Strain and Recovery
Yet, it wasn’t an easy ride. The combination of downed trees and flooding tested the mettle of the Town’s services and its residents alike. “It was hard on everyone. But we got through it, and we thank our employees for their dedicated service and our customers for their patience and support,” Clauson concluded.
The resilience of Winnsboro’s community through this storm serves as a reminder of the strength that comes from unity and determination in the face of adversity. With power fully restored and the town bouncing back, the experience has only brought the community closer together, poised for whatever challenges may come next.
