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Power back, but storm cleanup still going on
Power restored, but cleanup from storm could take several more daysDate published: 6/3/2008 BY COREY BYERS, KAFIA HOSH AND EMILY BATTLE Power crews expected to finish restoring electricity to area homes last night, but officials said the cleanup of trees and other debris from Sunday's storm could take several more days. Downed trees seemed to cause the most problems in the area, landing on homes, blocking roadways and knocking out power to thousands. No major injuries were reported. Jason Forrester, owner of A Tree Solution in Fredericksburg, said his company has been deluged with calls since the storm hit. He said crews were expected to work late into last night removing downed trees from yards and off area houses, sometimes using a crane. "We've been very, very busy," he said. Fredericksburg Assistant Public Works Director Dave King said all city streets had been cleared of debris by midday yesterday, but he said all of the storm damage could take a couple of weeks to clear. "There's quite a bit of debris out there, and some of it very large," King said. He urged pedestrians to be careful on city sidewalks, as some limbs and debris remain. Dominion Power spokesman Karl Neddenien said 70 crews were out yesterday working to restore electricity. Neddenien said there were upward of 30,000 outages in Central Virginia after the storm, but that number was down to less than 1,700 yesterday afternoon. He expected all power to be restored by last night. The storm, described by the National Weather Service as a "microburst" of high wind and rain, hit the Fredericksburg area around 5 p.m. Sunday. Stafford County officials reported damage to two mobile homes on Robinson Lane off U.S. 17. Several trees and branches fell in the heavily wooded community, causing moderate damage. Stafford officials also reported 17 roadways blocked by fallen trees and 12 downed power lines. They had been cleared by yesterday afternoon. Gerald Jaskulski, chief of the Emergency Management Division of Stafford's Fire and Rescue Department, said many residents were caught off-guard by the storm, which roared through at the end of a warm, sunny day. "It was a very rapidly developing storm," Jaskulski said. "By the time we got the alert from National Weather Service in Sterling, it was already upon us." Sunday's damage followed a similar storm Saturday afternoon that downed trees and knocked out power in Caroline County. Residents reported a funnel cloud Saturday, but the National Weather Service said yesterday they found no sign of a tornado touching down. Caroline Sheriff Tony Lippa said the high winds from Sunday's storm also left trees across county roads, but they were cleared that evening. He said only one minor storm-related injury was reported. Spotsylvania and King George counties did not report any major damage, though officials said some trees had been blown down and some King George residents lost power. Corey Byers: 540/735-1976
Date published: 6/3/2008
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