Cities survey the damage, the troubles that lie ahead
By Times Staff Writers
Published September 8, 2004
CLEARWATER: City workers began to repair traffic signals and continued to clear tree debris across the city. City Manager Bill Horne said the loss of power was sporadic throughout the city. "By the end of the day (Tuesday), assuming we get the power we need, we'll be in good shape," Horne said. Coachman Fundamental, Kings Highway Elementary and Sandy Lane Elementary were without power Tuesday. Kings Highway was expected to be restored by noon, the others sometime before start of classes Wednesday.
DUNEDIN: Dunedin Fire Rescue responded to five times as many calls as normal on Sunday. Deputy Fire Marshal Scott Magness said the most damage was on the Dunedin Causeway, where a number of downed trees and brownouts occurred. More than 60 residents were displaced from the Scottish Towers and the JB Dunedin Causeway Apartments. And about 75 percent of mobile home parks had visible damage, he said. Also, Dunedin Elementary was without power Tuesday, but crews were working to restore power by today.
SAFETY HARBOR: Safety Harbor experienced a number of downed trees and sporadic power loss, said fire Chief Ed Martens. The Fire Department responded to two fires: one in Oldsmar and another in Clearwater. Bishop Creek was higher than normal. There were no storm damage reports on Tuesday, he said.
LARGO: The storm uprooted a dozen oak trees at McGough Nature Park and left the Largo Library with no power. Both were closed Tuesday. Numerous mobile homes suffered minor damage, such as carport roofs blown off and several billboard signs broken. By Monday morning, city workers responded to 75 calls about downed power lines and were clearing downed trees and debris. Traffic signals were repaired by Monday night, said City Manager Steven Stanton. Now the city is gearing up for Hurricane Ivan. "We're already contemplating next weekend," said Stanton.
TARPON SPRINGS: Wind and falling trees damaged several mobile homes in parks along U.S. 19, Alt. U.S. 19 and Anclote Road. Flooding occurred in areas where it usually does during torrential rains, police said. Many businesses had damage to signs and awnings, and many street signs were blown away. City crews tried to clear streets and replace signs as they learned of them, police said. "We've got a lot of vegetation that we've got to deal with, but I'm not aware of a tremendous number of people who were displaced," fire Chief Kevin Bowman said.
PALM HARBOR: There was no reported flooding. Four mobile homes in the Grand Bay mobile home park on Alt. U.S. 19 were damaged, and one lost its roof. A house near Alt. U.S. 19 and Bee Pond Road also sustained significant damage, according to Palm Harbor Fire Rescue.
EAST LAKE: Trees fell on two homes, causing a minor leak at one of them, East Lake fire Chief Jeff Parks said. There were reports of flooding in the Ridgemoor and Brooker Creek area, but no reports that water went into homes there.
OLDSMAR: Water receded and cleanup efforts were under way along Shore Drive, where water flooded several homes Monday. The city pier at R.E. Olds Park sustained about $50,000 in damage and could be closed for up to six months, an official said.
