Log in Subscribe

White Lake residents still reeling from 2018 wind storm, finally get relief

Patricio Robayo - Staff Writer
Posted 3/14/19

WHITE LAKE — When tornado strength winds blew through Sullivan County in May of last year, Bethel residents for 40 years, Alfred (80) and Maria Reed (79), are lucky that their house was not …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

White Lake residents still reeling from 2018 wind storm, finally get relief

Posted

WHITE LAKE — When tornado strength winds blew through Sullivan County in May of last year, Bethel residents for 40 years, Alfred (80) and Maria Reed (79), are lucky that their house was not damaged. Trees took down power lines, destroyed homes and caused havoc in several townships throughout Sullivan County.

New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) approached the Reeds to cut down several 130-foot tall White Pine trees that line the front of their property in White Lake after the 2018 storm to prevent a future disaster.

NYSEG did cut down some trees—to prevent them from falling on their house or power lines—but left massive amounts of logs and branches debris on Alfred's front lawn.

“They destroyed the front of my property, and they told me they would take care of it,” said Alfred. “I am 80-years-old, and I cannot take care of these logs [myself].”

Since the 2018 storm, the Reeds has been waiting for NYSEG to return to finish taking down the remaining four White Pine trees and to remove all the debris from their lawn.

According to Alfred, when he calls NYSEG, they tell him that they would be at his property “soon” and that he is on “the list,” but weeks and months have passed, and NYSEG has not shown up.

“It will be a year now, no one comes,” said Alfred.

The Democrat reached out to NYSEG earlier this week on the status of Alfred and Maria's case, and Avangrid Spokesperson Kevin Ortiz said, “We will dispatch a crew tomorrow (March 13) to clear his property. We are also securing a log truck to transport the logs, which will take a week or so. These trees were removed for safety reasons as they were extremely hazardous after last May's storms.”

According to Alfred and Maria, NYSEG did show up on March 13 at 8 a.m. and worked until 3 p.m. and cleared all the logs and debris from the front lawn by 3 p.m.

“I thank you people [The Democrat] for what you have done for us. They cleaned up the front lawn and did a super job,” said Alfred.

Alfred and Maria said that NYSEG sent over dump trucks and a chipper to remove all the debris from their front lawn but have not yet taken down his four White Pine trees.

“They raked and everything. These fellas worked,” said Maria. “And for the rest of the trees, someday they will have to do something about it. However, thank you [The Democrat] for all you have done. Sometimes you just need a little angel.”

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here