Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird joined City officials Thursday morning to provided an update on their “all hand on deck” approach to Wednesday nights destructive storms that packed winds of more than 80 miles per hour.
Parks Director Maggie Stuckey-Ross says called the city’s urban canopy damage “significant and visible” and that crews will be out until the clean-up is finished. “Wide spread damage has been reported at nearly all park facilities and along our trail system.”
She says they received nearly 500 reports of trees down city wide. Tree debris can be dropped off free of charge at Holmes Lake Park, Seng Park, Woods Park and Oak Lake Park along with Hoefling Enterprises in southeast Lincoln until August 19.
“When severe weather hits our community, as it did yesterday through a storm that packed unexpectedly strong winds, our City team rapidly mobilizes to ensure our residents are safe and have access to essential resources and information to keep themselves and their families safe,” says Mayor Gaylor Baird.
LTU Director Liz Elliott 75% of Lincoln’s wellfields in Ashland had power restored to them as of 10:30 Thursday morning. All wells are expected to regain power late Thursday or early Friday, August 2.
In the meantime, voluntary outdoor water restrictions for homes and businesses will remain in effect until the end of Friday. Lincoln Police Chief Michon Morrow says the Lincoln Emergency Communications Center received 1,800 calls between 4 p.m. and midnight Wednesday. Storm-related issues reported by residents included traffic hazards, downed wires and tree branches, crashes, fires and property damage.
Click here for more information