Reno County Getting Back to Normal
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Updated: 10:37 PM Dec 16, 2007
Reno County Getting Back to Normal
Reno County residents, hit hard by two major winter storms, are returning to their homes.
Posted: 10:29 PM Dec 16, 2007
Email Address: natasha.trelfa@kake.com
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Giants piles of tree limbs and stumps have become a standard fixture on lawns in Reno county, as neighbors pick up already fallen branches and trim those still hanging. They're hoping to prevent any more power lines from being snapped.

"It's been a mess," said Steve Fontaine, of Hutchinson.

"A lot of hanging limbs are still up in the trees," says Jim Sunderland, also of Hutchinson.

An ice storm, no power for nearly a week, and seven inches of snow. For many it's meant a lot of clean up and even more patience.

"It's disheartening. A lot of people have been displaced and are staying with friends or in temporary quarters, but people have been real nice, opened their homes and helped," said Fontaine.

Residents all over Hutchinson got back to work cleaning up downed trees as power crews worked on downed lines. Enough power was restored to close the Arlington shelter. The Red Cross says the Turon shelter might be shut down by Monday.

"When somebody gets to go home, everybody is happy for them," says Fred Wade with the American Red Cross.

In nearby Marion county, emergency crews did house to house sweeps checking on people still without power and water. They say everyone, so far, is okay.

"The best part is people's attitude. It brings out the Christmas spirit," says Fontaine.

Back in Hutchinson many residents hit the nearby churches for a chilly Sunday service.

"The churches got power yesterday about 5:00, so the church was about 53 degrees in the sanctuary," said Fontaine.

Electric crews have most of the main lines back up and are now focusing on the lines that serve just a few people at a time, which means progress could slow a bit, but they have crews working around the clock to keep things moving.

As of 10pm Sunday, Westar Energy reported all but 25 homes and business had their power restored.


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