Nancy Hastings: Storm debris menacing

Aug. 16—Many in the county have been dealing with the after affects of a storm that swept the area Aug. 12.

In our household, we were scrambling for ways to keep our food from spoiling after loss of power for a few days. But a few limbs down in the backyard seemed minimal to what others have been dealing with.

Many have had power lines down and large trees snapped off midway, or completely uprooted. The talk was that a tornado was sure to have been the cause.

At Kimball Camp near Reading, Pam Campbell sent in photos of trees snapped off as if they were toothpicks. She had no doubt that a tornado had swept through the 80-year-old camp.

Campbell noted the porch of the program cottage was covered with limbs and on the waterfront, the trampoline and blob were blown away.

Overall, damage was done to about 20 of the buildings, Campbell said. She reported branches through roofs, soffit damage, eaves trough damage, and one of the buildings, the nature den, has a big tree that knocked it partially off the foundation.

When driving down to Montgomery to cover an event Saturday, the devastation was evident while spotting downed trees and people outside homes trying to set up generators.

After assessing the damage in such situations, many eventually started cleaning up the storm debris on properties. And depending on the severity of the storm in their area, many still have a lot of work ahead. There may be trees, branches, sharp objects and even hazardous waste yet on properties.

Advice from emergency personnel is before you start picking up the pieces, make sure you take some basic precautions to protect you and your family. And if you plan to file an insurance claim, take photos of the damage as you work.

Michigan DNR says when you're involved in storm cleanup, safety is a top priority. So is the task of keeping Michigan's trees and forests healthy.

"If utility lines are down, stay away and notify the utility company," said Kevin Sayers, Urban and Community Forestry program leader for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. "It's important to clean up, but it's more important to stay safe."

After power and other utilities have been restored, property owners are faced with the issue of what to do with storm-damaged trees. Here's some advice from experts for common situations:

Trees and branches on homes and around power lines: Even if a hanging limb is clear of power and utility wires, homeowners should rely on professionals to assess the severity of the damage before trying to repair or remove a branch.

Injured trees requiring climbing or chainsaw work: Call a licensed arborist for help. Arborists are tree-care professionals who are trained to assess and work on storm-damaged trees. They also have the experience needed to diagnose how much of a tree can or should be saved. Be wary of those offering fly-by night, emergency tree-cutting services. Always ask for proof of licensing, insurance and work references. Find more information about hiring an arborist from ISA-Michigan, Michigan's chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture.

Keep pests in mind when disposing of wood: Wood left behind after trees are damaged by storms may harbor insects or diseases that are harmful to forests. Moving debris out of the local area can unknowingly spread pests to new areas. Be aware that there are rules, known as quarantines, that affect transport of some types of trees or limbs downed by storms.

It's recommended to recycle or re-use woody storm debris: Check the national Don't Move Firewood campaign for recommendations on seasoning and using local firewood.

After getting your own property in order, it may be useful to lend a hand to others. Campbell said they are seeking people with chainsaws or trailers to take wood they cut. So for those seeking wood to burn in the winter months, it's a win-win with neighbors helping neighbors.

Nancy Hastings is a Daily News staff writer and can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: @nhastingsHDN.

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