Kaysville 14th ward members turned out in force to clean up
It is not often that the Governor warns the citizens of Utah about the weather. But he did just that Saturday night when he urged residents along the northern Wasatch Front to prepare for another windstorm, forecast to begin at 5pm Sunday.
After Thursday’s windstorm, most residents have not had time to completely clean up.
In preparation, our stake president instructed wards to have their priesthood organize to remove branches and other debris that could become airborne in the approaching high winds. Accordingly, in our ward at church this morning the priesthood were asked to assemble in work clothes at 1pm. There was no asking for volunteers, it was just assumed that all able-bodied men would respond — which we did.
We collected all the green waste and took it to the Central Davis Sewer District where it will be converted to ground wood waste and mixed with biosolids, then composted and sold to the general public. It was quite the operation (follow the link for photographs), with armadas of pickups and trailers.
There were large tree trunks to deal with as well as branches
Chains saws were the weapon of choice
Sister Blair handed out hot chocolate
Dan and I, after we had finished within our ward boundaries, drove to my daughter’s home for a branch meeting. There we removed part of a tree that was entangled in the power line to her home. The power is still out from Thursday’s winds. When we had finished cutting down the branches we asked Sarah’s ward members if they would take away the debris and they immediately dispatched ten men to her backyard.
With the power still off it was a good time to clear away the branches that were stressing the power lines
Dan did most of the work under my skilled supervision
Sarah's ward had an efficient operation in progress
Ever wondered what was inside those Mormon steeples? Nothing, at least now there isn't
Mmm, I was wondering where that chair of ours ended up
Normally, Mormons view a Sunday as the sabbath day, a day to be kept holy. Occasionally, and this is the first time for me, members have to work together on a Sunday to secure their communities.
Update
The high wind warning was cancelled but some gusts did hit 40 miles per hour.
May I respectfully say that it is inadvisable that civilians get near power lines, even if the power is off? One can never know when it will return.
This storm was a great surprise to people along the West coast. Many in Oregon suffered headaches and various malady s due to the high barometric pressure.
I am glad that no one was hurt.
Gwendolyn
This was an insulated power line to the house. After the tree had been hanging on the wires for 4 days and no “professional” in sight, it was prudent to remove the offending branches before the approaching storm downed the wires and possibly cause civilians to get electrocuted. Sometimes you have to be your own expert. Nevertheless thank you for your concern.
Turns out the power is still out.
Correction, it came back on at 6pm. But we were through by 4pm. Impeccable timing. :)
Just a suggestion, the house service is perhaps not more dangerous than an extension cord, considering the new appearance of the development. I am an Electrician, and in some old developments, the services are just really awful, and I have called the power company to turn the power off or replace the drop before I would work on the service. Yes, I know that some men would do it anyhow, but not me. :)
I figured it was no more that 220 volts. The other wires looked like cable TV. The power wire was supported with a guide wire. The branches were really heavy so we cut them off in stages and as they fell I guided them through the gap in the wires.
We found out that it was just the house service wires at midnight last night and my son Paul wanted to go over right then. I said wait until daylight. See, I can be safety conscious. :)
Thanks for the information and for commenting.
I think that you were correct in your assessment. House power is only 220V usually, but there are people who you just would not want near it. It’s a judgment call.
Some of the men laughed at me, but when I worked on live power, I wore insulated gloves, and dry boots. I’d even stand on a dry piece of plywood too if I could. Of course I am not big enough to use a chain saw unless it is small.
Please be careful.
Gwendolyn
Wow I leave and look what happens to Kaysville. Well Rickety it looks like your a good supervisor.
I felt like branching out for the day. Next time you visit you had better stay.
Haha nice ya my roots are in Kaysville so I think I will be staying for awhile. Just a couple more weeks.
I told Dan that her roots are in Kaysville so she rarely leaves.
Warning sometimes my bite is worse than my bark.
Now you’re just pining for attention. I’m not such a sap that I would give into such puns.
Um, so if these were fir trees, would you all be furies?
You have me stumped.