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Dear Editor,
On the evening of July 1, 2011, the City of Redwood Falls was hit by a severe storm that resulted in 80 to 100 mph straight line winds and a confirmed EF-1 tornado northwest of Redwood Falls. The destruction from the storm left our electric transmission and distribution system in shambles. Numerous electric lines and power poles were knocked to the ground by the hundreds of snapped and uprooted trees. Approximately 2,800 utility customer were without power and it was immediately obvious that it would take days to repair the damage from the storm.
Knowing that help was needed, I called Bob Rinne, St. James Light Department Superintendent, on Saturday morning to ask if the St. James Light Department could lend a helping hand. Without hesitation Bob said he would contact St. James Line Foreman Adam Koch and they would be there in about an hour.
Bob and Adam arrived, as promised, even though I am sure they had other plans for how to spend a Saturday during the Fourth of July weekend. It was fourteen hours before these two men returned home and their hard work and dedication helped restore electricity to 95% of our customers within 24 hours of the storm.
Our storm cleanup will continue for many weeks. The hard work that went into restoring our community will then be forgotten by most, but my appreciation for the help that was provided by Bob Rinne and Adam Koch will last a lifetime. Therefore, it is with sincere gratitude that I thank the City of St. James and the St. James Light Department for your assistance during this difficult time. The City of St. James should be proud to have such professional and dedicated employees.
Keith Muetzel,
Redwood Falls City Administrator
Dear Editor,
On the evening of July 1, 2011, the City of Redwood Falls was hit by a severe storm that resulted in 80 to 100 mph straight line winds and a confirmed EF-1 tornado northwest of Redwood Falls. The destruction from the storm left our electric transmission and distribution system in shambles. Numerous electric lines and power poles were knocked to the ground by the hundreds of snapped and uprooted trees. Approximately 2,800 utility customer were without power and it was immediately obvious that it would take days to repair the damage from the storm.
Knowing that help was needed, I called Bob Rinne, St. James Light Department Superintendent, on Saturday morning to ask if the St. James Light Department could lend a helping hand. Without hesitation Bob said he would contact St. James Line Foreman Adam Koch and they would be there in about an hour.
Bob and Adam arrived, as promised, even though I am sure they had other plans for how to spend a Saturday during the Fourth of July weekend. It was fourteen hours before these two men returned home and their hard work and dedication helped restore electricity to 95% of our customers within 24 hours of the storm.
Our storm cleanup will continue for many weeks. The hard work that went into restoring our community will then be forgotten by most, but my appreciation for the help that was provided by Bob Rinne and Adam Koch will last a lifetime. Therefore, it is with sincere gratitude that I thank the City of St. James and the St. James Light Department for your assistance during this difficult time. The City of St. James should be proud to have such professional and dedicated employees.
Keith Muetzel,
Redwood Falls City Administrator
