Ice storm tests county's preparedness

Last month's ice storm tested Dyer County's emergency preparedness and provided a glimpse of what could happen in a disaster.

While a layer of ice coated the county, Dyer County Emergency Management Director James Medling said it was obvious that the ice storm became more severe about 3 miles north of Nauvoo.

"We dodged a bullet," Medling told members of the Dyer County Commission's Fire Committee on Thursday morning. "What happened in Lake County, Obion County and Kentucky could have just as well happened here."

"And in the Bootheel" of Missouri, added committee chairman David Agee.

"And the Bootheel," Medling agreed.

Thirty-six hours of freezing rain in Lake County left more than an inch of ice on tree limbs and icicles more than 10 inches long on utility lines. The storm knocked out all electrical power in Lake County and cut telephone services to countless residents. Fallen utility poles and trees blocked the roads.

Medling said the Dyer County unit of the American Red Cross opened a shelter in Dyersburg. The shelter housed 75 persons on Wednesday, Jan. 28, and 65 persons on Thursday, Jan. 29. Vans from the Northwest Tennessee Development District transported Lake County residents to the shelter.

Some Dyer County residents also lost electricity for a few days, and they tried to keep warm with alternative heat sources, such as heat bulbs and fireplace chimneys that hadn't been used (or cleaned) in a while. Medling said the county's fire departments responded to four house fires in two days.

Gov. Phil Bredesen has asked that Dyer, Lake, Obion and Weakley counties be declared a national disaster area as a result of the ice storm. Medling said Federal Emergency Management Agency officials were here Tuesday, assessing the county's damage.

The Dyersburg Electric System reported about $15,000 worth of storm-related damage and overtime wages. Newbern's electrical system estimated a couple thousand dollars worth of overtime wages. Forked Deer Electric estimated $400,000-$500,000 worth of damage and overtime wages. And, Gibson Electric Membership Cooperative, which serves all or part of Lake, Obion, Dyer, Gibson, Haywood, Lauderdale, Crockett and Madison counties, reported about $100,000 worth of damage in Dyer County alone, Medling said.

A couple of the water systems in the county asked the state for generators, but the electricity was restored before the generators became necessary, he said. Electricity is needed to pump the water supplies.

The city of Dyersburg and the Dyer County Highway Department have been picking up debris.

If the costs in Dyer, Lake, Obion and Weakley counties are significant enough, a disaster declaration may be made. Medling said no official announcement has been made, yet.

While Dyer Countians dealt with their own icy mess, the county offered assistance to other areas.

Medling said the county's mobile 911 trailer and four or five people went to Fulton, Ky., on Jan. 29. Fulton had no communication services until the mobile unit arrived. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency sent its mobile command center from Jackson the following day. And, Medling said, Howard Runions, a ham radio operator in Dyer County, relayed information to and from Kentucky residents.

"We were hit, but we were still trying to help our neighbors," Medling said.

The ice storm provided a taste of life during a disaster. A massive earthquake, such as those in 1811 and 1812 in the New Madrid Seismic Zone, has the potential to affect the area much more severely.

"What happened last week will be nothing compared to an earthquake," Medling said.

Emergency experts warn citizens that they may need to be self-sufficient for three days; Medling said he recommends persons be prepared to take care of themselves for a week.

The recent ice storm certainly has people thinking about generators, flashlights and other emergency supplies. But, there's much more to consider. Emergency personnel hope people will heed the warnings during West Tennessee Earthquake Awareness Week, which will be observed next week, and during Severe Weather Awareness Week on Feb. 23-27.