I took a walk around town this morning. Here is the
slide show with pictures including last night's and this morning's shots.
I had a chance to talk to Laurel's Mayor, Craig Moe. Hizzoner is out plowing in a small city truck. He does a pretty good job, talking on the radio and clearing the LVFD station driveway at the same time. Craig explained that the county will plow station 10, but that in a storm like this, everybody needs to step up to help. He said it's important that the fire trucks and ambulance can get out of the station.
Marty Flemion and his team of senior staff members are at the City's Emergency Management Operations Center directing the city's response. Council President Gayle Snyder has been volunteering since early this morning answering phones at city hall. Ed Ricks, a long-time city volunteer and former council member, has been up all night cooking for the city crews. You may have seen Eddie and his helpers in the city's emergency canteen vehicle in the past. Everybody in town is hard at work.
The city has been at work for a few days getting ready for this historic storm. Every resource that the city has available is now engaged in the battle. Crews are working around the clock. The mayor told me that his first priority is responding to the storm and protecting the residents. He and the city council will work together to find the money to pay for whatever we need to respond to this storm. He said that is why we set aside financial reserves.
The biggest worry now is the loss of electricity. According to the mayor, we have had a few limited outages. But as the storm progresses and the wind increases, he is concerned that we may lose more trees. Trees rip out the electric wires.
Be sure to call BG&E if you lose power. That is the only way they will know that your power is out.
Laurel is a unique place with so many wonderful people. Jim McCeney has been clearing his neighbor's walks with his snow blower all morning. I just heard that Jim's snow blower may have died before he cleared his own driveway. City staff are working around the clock. Neighbors are helping neighbors. We are truly blessed.
Stay inside. Stay out of your car. Stay in touch. Stay warm.
