Community Pitches In To Clear Tree Damage

Save

Volunteers lending a hand
Posted: 5:40 PM Jun 29, 2008
Last Updated: 12:01 AM Jun 30, 2008
Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com

11 comments

A | A | A

The task of cutting up fallen trees and cutting down broken limbs will take property owners days. The work continued Sunday with neighbor helping neighbor, even if they didn't know each other very well.

A group of individuals wearing yellow shirts were helping to cut up trees in the neighborhood of 42nd and Shirley. The group from Westside Church is part of the Eastern Nebraska Baptist Association Disaster Team, out and about across the city since Saturday.

"I think it's a reminder of what it used to be and I think it represents what a good Christian community should be like, you're supposed to help out your neighbor and you're not supposed to expect anything in return,” said team member Cory Estey.

Linda Bayer noticed. "We were told the city was gonna be out here Monday to check it out."

Team members' own homes were untouched by the high winds. "By the grace of God, I don't think anybody had damage at their places,” said Estey. Saturday, the team of several dozen spent most of its time at the mobile home park near 132nd and Maple.

More Stories
Fireworks Show Threatened By Rain

Holiday Weekend Fireworks Displays

Fireworks Injury Victim Warns Others

Woman Stabbed Multiple Times

Update: Owner of Pit Bulls Cited

Barking Upsets Neighbors

Historian Follows In Ancestor's Footsteps

Palin Resigns As Alaska Governor

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Staci on Jun 30, 2008 at 02:57 PM
To Susan: so what do you propose these people do? Leave the trees and the limbs all over their lawns and streets so they can rot and cause a health hazard? Not to mention a saftey concern? I'm sure if a person knows of a elderly person in need they will make sure to get them taken care of. And as for people who have lost food? Heck, people who still have food and power dont have money for food. Those who are in need can surely contact the Red Cross or Social Services for help.

Posted by: JOHN on Jun 30, 2008 at 02:03 PM
I think that is a pretty selfish comments susan... I know of plenty of volunteers that are helping with tree removal as well as helping those with special needs and food. shame on you

Posted by: Michele on Jun 30, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Maybe you should spend less time complaining and more time organizing a food drive or something more productive... at least the community came together and did something instead of sitting back and complaining about it.

Posted by: SOB on Jun 30, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Neighbors being neighbor I have to laugh at that.my three boys (6) and i (lady) were cutting up and carring the 3 big tree limbs in my yard and the men across the street just looked and laughed at us.I'll you what my older sons are in IA. helping out.so what is wrong with men can help a old lady or what.....

Posted by: Lori on Jun 30, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Actually, homeowners' insurance can sometimes pay for spoiled food due to a power outage. It probably depends on the company and the coverage, but I know a friend of mine had State Farm pay him for a refrigerator and freezer full of food after the Oct. 1997 storm. However, he had just been to the store the day before the power went out and still had his receipt. If you lose a lot of food it might be worthwhile to check with your insurance company.

Posted by: B on Jun 30, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Susan, I think people do care about those things. This is a story showing one side of the issue and the great charity of the Omaha people! The Red Cross and many churches are helping people with places to live, food to eat, and medical support. Great job Omaha! This is what I brag to relatives in other parts of the country!

Posted by: dave on Jun 30, 2008 at 10:00 AM
PLEASE mayor...CURB-SIDE pickup of debris. Don't leave us behind like FEMA and New Orleans. If there's not enough money in the budget, maybe put the stadium off for a few years.

Posted by: Annon on Jun 30, 2008 at 09:34 AM
Wow, and to think we can do this without making the government provide us housing for years, or without asking the goverment to rebuild our homes, give us money, and then complain about what you get! Where are the looters? Why aren't we out stealing from our neighbors? I guess it's true, the midwest DOES have good values. Maybe other parts of our country should take note.

Posted by: Gwen on Jun 30, 2008 at 09:24 AM
I agree, but the trees have to be cleaned up regardless, and these folks are doing a wonderful thing. Our homeowners insurance paid for the food loss when power went out another time. The helpless elderly need to be watched out for by families, if they have any, and by other agencies if they don't. That's part of the helping neighbors work. The American Red Cross is one agency that can help here, and the rest of us can contribute money to provide for what they do.

Posted by: T on Jun 30, 2008 at 06:59 AM
Susan: If the tree limbs are blocking the roadway or on power lines, it will be hard to get to those elderly people to begin with. There are already people out helping to get food and supplies to people who cannot leave their homes. The news doesn't report every little thing. Heck, they don't seem to know that Waterloo, NE, between Valley and Elkhorn, exists. With Waterloo being "Tree City USA" you'd think they're report on all the damage from the trees toppling and the flooding from all the rain. Let's just say, Waterloo is aptly named.

Posted by: SUSAN on Jun 29, 2008 at 06:06 PM
MAYBE EVERYONE SHOULD WORRY ABOUT THE HEALTH AND FOOD PROBLEM A LITTLE MORE THAT THE TREE LIMBS. ELDERLY CANT BREATHE AND PEOPLE DONT HAVE MONEY FOR FOOD LOSS.