Storm wreaks havoc in community
A pair of large trees lean against the home of Marshall and Helen Tapp on Lakeshore Drive. The couple, who have lived in the area for more than 27 years, said they have never seen a windstorm like the one that blew through Monday night. (Photo by DAVID KEYES)
SANDPOINT — Winter hit Bonner County hard Monday night, and area residents spent Tuesday picking up after the destructive wind and cold.
The gusts, some as powerful as 25 mph, proved fairly destructive, blowing down signs, branches and even entire trees. Portions of Sandpoint suffered brief power outages and road obstructions thanks to the cranky forces of nature.
“We had people out all night taking care of situations as they occurred,” Sandpoint police Capt. Rick Bailey said.
The wind blew a tree into a power line near Community Hall, knocking out electricity until Tuesday afternoon. But greater risk arose from a small rainwater stream that runs underneath the building.
A pump prevents the stream from leaking through the old foundation and causing minor flooding. City workers first hooked a generator to the pump to prevent water damage. On Tuesday afternoon, they repaired the damaged lines and carved up the fallen tree for removal.
“All the damage is repaired and we are back in business,” Parks and Recreation director Kim Woodruff said.
More damages cropped up throughout the evening. According to Bailey, around 10 traffic signs blew over throughout the night, including some stop signs.
Among them were the residences of Dick and Eli Sevenich’s on Euclid and the home of Marshall and Helen Tapp on Lakeshore Drive.
At the Seveniches’ home, which is slated to be part of the Healing Garden Home Tour on Dec. 12, the huge tree missed two homes but landed squarely in front of a neighbor’s front door.
On Lakeshore Drive, the Tapps said they have never lived through a wind storm like the one Monday night that uprooted three trees next to their home. They have lived in the area for 27 years but when Sandpoint Builders constructed their home next to the Pend Oreille River, they made sure hurricane strength windows were installed facing the water.
Sometime after 11 p.m. Helen noticed that one of her huge trees was leaning against her deck. It wasn’t until Tuesday morning that she noticed that two other trees were also leaning against her home. The house appeared to have escaped serious damage as the trees’ branches softened the fall.
“I heard a thump and that was about it,” she said. Helen was busy calling her insurance company as well as tracking down a crane company Tuesday morning.
Elsewhere in the community, large tree branches obstructed the street on Third and Pine. A block on Alder lost power due to more line damages.
Authorities prevented trouble on North Boyer when workers tended to a low-hanging power line before it caused problems.
Bailey advised motorists to be especially careful during periods of harsh weather. He said that drivers should leave earlier than usual to allow for slower driving and to increase the distance from the next vehicle in traffic. He also suggested carrying a cell phone in case of break-downs and to always give friends an estimated time of arrival while traveling longer distances.
“Give yourself more time, give yourself more room and stay safe,” he said.
Staff writer David Keyes contributed to this story.