MP Utilities hard at work to repair what was damaged in Tuesday?s storm

By Grace King, Mt. Pleasant News

The heavy rains, strong winds, damaged trees and power outages may have alarmed some Mt. Pleasant residents Tuesday evening, but for Mt. Pleasant Utilities line crews, it was just another day at work.

With the main power feeders to Mt. Pleasant up and running by Wednesday morning, Mt. Pleasant Utilities shifted their focus to residential customers whose meter bases may have suffered damage from the storm. For other customers, it was a matter of Maddy Tree Service, of Mt. Pleasant, clearing the brush before Mt. Pleasant Utilities was able to step in and assess the situation.

?We?re lucky it stayed south of the railroad tracks,? said Greg Thu, Mt. Pleasant Utilities electric supervisor.

Mt. Pleasant Utilities General Manager Jack Hedgecock estimates fewer than a dozen houses remain without power on Thursday, Aug. 30.

While customers may be anxious to get the power up and running again, it?s much better to be safe than sorry, Hedgecock said.

?You only get one chance in the electricity business. Do the wrong thing and there are fatalities,? Hedgecock said, adding that all of his crews have remained safe as they repair damaged telephone poles and meter bases in Mt. Pleasant this week.

In fact, so many meter bases were repaired in Mt. Pleasant over the past two days that Hedgecock estimates they went through a year?s supply and had to take a trip to Burlington for more.

Tom Maddy, with Maddy Tree Service, advices all homeowners to take a look at their meter bases, and if they notice any bent poles, to contact Mt. Pleasant Utilities.

?If the wires are pinched or pulled it could create a fire hazard,? Maddy said.

Hedgecock mused that problems will continue to be found over the next six months from storm damage Tuesday. Whether it?s damaged tree limbs that finally give out or other problems, Hedgecock assured that they would work through it.

Problems homeowners can look out for are dim lights on one side of the house while bright lights are on the other side; equipment that runs differently or anything out of the ordinary, Hedgecock said.

Residents considering installing a backup generator following major power outages Tuesday evening are encouraged to contact Mt. Pleasant Utilities and speak with the city about safety requirements.

With storms forcast for this weekend, Hedgecock advices residents to make sure their rain gutters are cleared and if power lines are down, to contact Mt. Pleasant Utilities or local law enforcement. ?Stay back from any wires,? he cautioned. ?Don?t touch.?

Mt. Pleasant Utilities was assisted by crews from New London, Muscatine and Durant.