Recent warmth may make the early April ice storm seem like old news, but it’s effect is still real for residents and business owners alike.
Taking a break from his chainsaw duties Wednesday, April 9, Clarkston DPW worker Bob Purlesy said all emergency work was done within the city limits, but he estimated up to two weeks for all storm-related cleanup to be complete.
It will take longer in outlying areas. According to information from the Road Commission for Oakland County, it could take three months to finish cleaning up all downed trees and branches on county roadways.
‘This storm just devastated so many trees across the county, particularly along our gravel roads in the more rural areas,? said Tom Meszler, RCOC highway maintenance director.
Although there is no provision for curbside pickup of downed branches and brush, Independence Township residents have been taking advantage of the dropoff service at the DPW complex on Flemings Lake Road. Officials reported more than 600 loads dropped off Saturday, April 12.
In addition to affecting residents? pocketbooks, the cost of the storm registered in the local economy as well.
Rudy’s Market, for example, lost power at 11:30 p.m. Friday, April 4, and the lights came back on at about noon Tuesday, April 8.
The lights were not the only issue, however, as the South Main Street market lost its entire stock of meat, cheese, ice cream and milk because of lack of refrigeration.
‘Everything that was perishable, we lost,? said deli worker Andy Sutherland, ‘and we lost four days of business. It was bad news.?
Sutherland said market owners may consider purchasing an emergency generator for use in future emergencies.
‘You never know what kind of things will happen,? he said.
RCOC Managing Director Brent Bair said the extensive storm cleanup could also have impact on regularly scheduled duties along area roadways.
‘That means fewer of our crews will be available to do the many other routine maintenance activities that the public expects, such as patching potholes, grading gravel roads, addressing drainage problems, and so on,? Bair said.
RCOC is offering free wood chips at four commission garages, including the one at 10275 Dixie Highway in Springfield Township.
Independence Township will continue to accept brush, limbs, etc. at the DPW complex from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Exceptions are Friday, April 18 and Saturday, April 20 because of the Easter holiday, and Saturday, May 10 and 17 because of the annual spring cleanup days.
Clarkston Community Schools cancelled classes for two days because of the storm, but students need not fear an extended school year because of it.
‘We always anticipate,? said Anita Banach, director of communications and marketing for the school district. ‘We schedule more days than many districts.?
While school district maintenance workers were kept busy checking and resetting equipment such as pumps and furnaces, school buildings escaped relatively unscathed.
‘I’ve not heard that we sustained any major damage,? Banach said.