Towns recover from storm
An intense storm, called a microburst, tore through central Washington Friday, July 20 taking out hundreds of utility poles and thousands of trees, some of which damaged homes, business and cars. The area that includes the reservation town of Keller and the Ferry County seat of Republic, Washington were hit hard. A week later, crews are still restoring power and phone, clearing fallen trees and helping people affected by the damage.
Section:Picture story
Workers, volunteers and community members eat a hot meal served at the Keller Community Center Friday. Since the extreme storm Friday, July 20 meals have been served in Keller and other services, like a portable shower, portable laundry and potable water have been provided.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Terri Covington walks past what’s left of her car and mobile home at her home near Keller, Washington Friday, July 27 Crews have already removed the trees, downed by a terrific microburst Friday, July 20, that destroyed or damaged two cars at three buildings where Covington lives with Jasin Wellons. No one was hurt at their home.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Dozens of broken trees, seen Friday, July 27, near the hospital in Republic, Washington, are evidence of the ferocity of a microburst storm last Friday.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
A utility crew installs new electrical poles along state highway 21.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Steven Dreyer, center, hands tubs of smoked salmon to Jory Vallee, left, as supplies are moved to refrigeration at the Keller Community Center Friday. The food was destined for meals at the town’s community center which has become the headquarters for response to a powerful storm last Friday that downed thousands of trees and damaged buildings up and down the valley.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Lurae Kanzleiter stands in the gym at the Keller Community Center Keller, Washington Friday. The mobile home Kanzleiter shared with her husband and three teenage children was smashed by a tree last Friday and they have lived in the gym, which has served as a shelter, since then.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
(From left) Daniel Tonasket jr., Marion Ross, Davis Tatshama and David Dick attack a pile of broken trees downed by a storm last Friday along state highway 21 north of Keller, Washington Friday. The workers were hired by the Colville Confederated Tribes.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Sam Jenkins and John Peden work over a Republic city map Friday, July 28 at Republic High School. Jenkins and Peden were coordinating search and rescue teams to check every residence in Republic and nearby Ferry County area affected by an intense microburst July 20 that snapped off thousands of large, healthy trees, smashing buildings and blocking roads. A week later, recovery is in full swing.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
A merchant’s sign in Republic, Washington thanks utility crews Friday, July 27, 2012 working in the area. An intense microburst storm took down hundreds of power poles and thousands of trees July 20 and several utility crews have been working nonstop to restore power around Ferry County and the Colville Reservation.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review