Downed Tree On Scott Gets News Choppers in the Air
Decatur Metro | July 11, 2008
So, it was kind of a sticky commute this afternoon. Trying to get back from the Whole Foods on Briarcliff, I got stuck on Clifton amidst the rain and a power outage (‘nough said). By the time I had weaseled my way back to Scott via Clairemont, I hit a wall of cars. As I pulled into the turn lane for Coventry, I noticed a cop and a bunch of cars up ahead simply stopped. “Either an accident or a tree”, I thought. With our record as of late, I guessed “tree”.
And boy was I right!
But, by the time I got home, dumped my whole food in the slowly warming fridge (since the power was out) and got back out the door to venture back to Scott on foot, most of the mess was already cleaned up. How’s that for service?! Literally 10 minutes from the time the cops got there until the tree was out of the road. Now granted it was a relatively small tree, but hot damn that’s quick.
After returning home again and hanging out for a bit in my non-A/C house, I started hearing choppers. A quick look outside and I spotted 11Alive up in the air. I thought “Did I miss something?” Why is 11Alive covering a downed tree on Scott? So, my curiousity piqued, and with little else to do, the dog and I headed out for second lovely walk down Scott. And again I saw nothing but the downed tree and a power crew working to restore service. (That’s when I snapped the above pic)
So apparently local news nets love a good downed tree story? (A StormTracker46 van drove down our street an hour or so later) Well then they should set up shop here in Decatur, because it seems that every time it sprinkles nowadays, big, fat branches fall and trees come down.
Rain, don’t take this personally, but you are a cruel mistress.
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We did the same thing–checked once after hearing a TON of sirens and then again (figuring we missed something big) after the 11 Alive chopper “parked” mid-air over our house. First to arrive on the scene was actually a Fox News van. Apparently another larger tree fell closer to Emory and that one was blamed for knocking out the power (and making us sweat). GA Power was on the scene immediately–nice to see. The rain blew in sheets and was uncharacteristically hitting the windows directly on the east side of the house.
It’s a good rule of thumb as you’re driving: If you see three or four helicopters hovering ahead of you, whatever you’re driving into can’t be good.
And yes, TV will go to the ends of the earth of find a downed tree. Allow me to refer you to this:
http://liveapartmentfire.wordpress.com/2008/04/13/windblown/
A lot of folks have started to talk about the fact that so many of the trees in our area are beginning to reach their “golden years” as it were, and this drought has of course not helped. I fear we may be seeing more of this type of thing. I wonder if the pending tree/lot coverage legislation contains any provisions for this issue?
I volunteered for ‘Trees Atlanta’ for several years. This is a great organization if you get the opportunity to support them. Its true that many of the older trees are stressed because of long term drought and particularly air pollution. Trees Atlanta does a great job of making sure our city stays green. Trees fall occasionally. Thats a fact of life and a risk people must be willing to take to be surrounded by beauty. Miami deals with hurricanes, Seattle with earthquakes, Boston with blizzards, and Atlanta with trees.
“Trees fall occasionally. Thats a fact of life and a risk people must be willing to take to be surrounded by beauty”
Ummmm….no its not. If I feel that a tree is a threat to falling on my house and killing my family, the tree loses.