DAMAGED TREES POSE RISK THIS WINTER

The Beltrami County Sheriff's Office Division of Emergency Management
would like to remind our citizens of the potential risk damaged trees
pose following the destructive straight-line wind storms on July 2nd
and July 4th, 2012. A large number of trees remain standing, but are
damaged, fractured, and weakened as they were battered by wind, rain,
and hail during these storms. In the event of a heavy snow or ice
accumulation and combination of wind, these weakened trees will likely
succumb to the weight of snow and ice and fall to the ground or across
power and utility lines.

Winds well in excess 85 miles per hour on July 2nd carved a path of
extensive tree damage across a large part of southern Beltrami County,
followed by winds in excess of 70 miles per hour across most of the
county on July 4th. As the leaves fell from trees this season and
visibility into our forests improved, it revealed just how extensive
damage to our wooded areas is following these storms.

If you observe an area where damaged trees pose a risk to utility
lines, contact the appropriate utility company and advise them of the
situation so the risk can be mitigated. In the event of a winter storm
causing downed power lines, assume the line is active and report it to
911 immediately. Do not cross downed power lines.

Beltrami County will likely be feeling the effects of these
destructive storms for years to come. Downed timber will continue to
dry out and will be a wildfire concern as it was this fall with the
severe drought conditions. The weakened trees will also be susceptible
to future storms in the coming years.