Storm Cleanup Tops 100 Tons

A mid-January weather roller-coaster of rain, snow, gusting winds and extreme temperature changes resulted in a challenge for Plainfield’s Division of Public Works as trees toppled and branches fell on city streets.

On Jan. 14, the National Weather Service office in Mount Holly issued warnings for severe thunderstorms and a winter storm, with even a tornado watch thrown in. Then wind advisories followed. Plainfield had heavy rain and the soaked ground set the stage for falling trees in the high winds.

Information released Friday by Acting Public Works & Urban Development Director Jennifer Wenson-Maier indicated that the Public Works Division had to respond to more than 17 locations to clear trees and tree limbs. In some instances, Public Works Superintendent John Louise said, trees on private property fell across city streets and had to be cleared. Louise said the amount of debris removed from city streets exceeded 100 tons.

Besides the Jan. 14-15 preliminary report, the National Weather Service Mount Holly office also issued a preliminary winter storm summary for Jan. 17-18. In that storm, rising temperatures and high winds on Jan. 17 were followed by a rapid drop to cold weather and gusts up to 60 miles per hour in some locations.

The agency noted numerous tree uprootings, with damage to homes and cars as well as power outages and flooding.

As late as last week, city homeowners could be seen still picking up tree branches and twigs from their yards, and a city front-loader was busy hauling away sections of tree trunks on East Seventh Street.

--Bernice Paglia

KEYWORDS: storm, public works