Winnsboro Rallies as Storm Leaves Community in the Dark
This past weekend, the small town of Winnsboro faced a significant challenge when a storm swept through early Friday morning, affecting thousands of residents. Thankfully, the response from the town’s emergency staff was swift and organized, ensuring that the community was supported during this trying time.
A Quick Response
According to Town Manager Chris Clauson, electric crews were mobilized immediately around 4:30 a.m. when residents began to experience power outages. As power was lost, the situation escalated when both the water plant and reservoir also lost electricity, leading to a dangerous depletion of water from the town’s tanks. To address this, the town quickly reverted to the City of Columbia’s water supply to ensure residents had access to clean water.
All Hands on Deck
Various town departments sprang into action, showcasing a remarkable level of teamwork. The Streets and Sanitation Department, Public Safety Officers, Vehicle Maintenance staff, and employees from the Gas, Water, and Sewer Departments worked diligently alongside the Electric Department linemen. Clauson observed, “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.”
Challenges Faced
Despite their best efforts, a segment of the town’s water system experienced a drop in pressure, necessitating a boil water advisory for the community. At one point, approximately 3,100 of the town’s 3,300 electric customers were without power during the weekend. The Forest Hills area and the county administration building, which includes the 911 Call Center, reported the longest outages due to fallen trees damaging power lines.
Seeking Extra Help
As it became clear that additional assistance was needed, the town staff requested external help. The response was prompt, with two electric crews coming from Higginsville and Macon, Missouri arriving Sunday afternoon to support local efforts. By Monday afternoon, power had been restored to every customer, except in certain cases where problems on the customer side made restoration difficult.
Hard Work Pays Off
Throughout this ordeal, several town employees stood out for their dedication. For instance, Michael Dean and Trip Peak from the Gas, Water, and Sewer Department worked tirelessly over the weekend to address the issues resulting from storm damage and power outages. Additionally, Calvin Johnson and the Streets and Sanitation Department, alongside Jeff Mincey and the Vehicle Maintenance crew, worked to clear debris from the roads and power lines, allowing the electric crews to get to work on restoring power.
A Note of Gratitude
In a heartfelt expression of gratitude, Clauson acknowledged the toll that the storm had taken on both the town’s residents and its employees. “The downed trees and flooding caused a strain on our customers, on our employees, and our systems. 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,” he said.
Moving Forward Together
As Winnsboro looks forward to a brighter day, the resilience of the community shone through during this challenging time. With such strong teamwork and dedication, the town remains hopeful for the future, knowing that they can rely on each other when facing adversity.
