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The
trouble with ice storms is, how do you KNOW how bad the effects will
be until they actually happen? Sometimes it seems that God is
determined to make fools of even the best weathermen on the planet.
They predict solid ice and the temperature goes up to balmy. They
predict light frost and trees are snapping to the ground everywhere.
This
ice storm was expected, but not the severity, not the damage, not
the intensity. So light were the warnings that many people didn't
make any preparations at all for the storm. Others stocked up, but
only lightly. Overnight, ice has loaded up the power lines until
many sagged, then crashed to the ground all over the state. Trees
too are falling all over the state, many of them -- forgetting that
their purpose in life was to protect nearby homes from icy winds and
steaming sun -- lash out in destructive paths, taking down power
lines, porches and even roofs.
As
you cruise down the most damaged streets it is easy to see that much
of the damage coming from trees should have been foreseen and taken
care of prior to the storm. Even now there are numerous tree boughs
surrounding power lines in Norman Oklahoma, ready to take the lines
down when the weather gets worse.
With
half an inch of ice on the trees still standing it is easy to see
houses that are in danger of roofs being crushed, homes being
smashed. Instead of waiting for insurance carriers to pay off when
the damage is done (in this storm, or a later one) these trees
should be noted, marked, and taken care of as quickly as possible.
Perhaps local agents should be protecting their companies by noting
the homes they have covered so that rates can be raised or at least
ultimatums made. Considering how much damage can be done to
the community it would be even better if County Agents began issuing
citations.
These
trees were planted in the wrong place to start with. Others have
been pruned for decorative purposes. They should have been brushed
off, topped out or forcibly removed long ere this storm struck.
True, the fierceness of this storm was not expected, but even a
light study of history reveals there have been such ice storms in
the past, and one never knows here when tornado winds will start
trees to swaying from one side to another. Just snapping one power
line can put an entire community out of power. A community out of
power can produce a water shortage and wreak other havocs as well in
very short order. |
