Sunday storm causes damage

Aila Boyd

aboyd@mainstreetnewspapers.com

A significant storm on Sunday caused damage in Salem, with the National Weather Service determining the presence of a tornado. 

City of Salem officials said that there were no injuries or fatalities, and very limited damage to structures. The official noted that it appears the tornado started somewhere in the Karen Hills area in Salem and traveled through Kimball Avenue, ending somewhere around Midland Road.

“Like all localities, we had numerous power outages, but our Electric Department folks were able to get everything back on by Monday night,” Mike Stevens, communications director for the city, said. “At the worst time, several hundred Salem residents were without power – mainly in the path of the storm. We will spend the remainder of this week getting any loose or displaced lines back in place.”

The city’s street department workers had their hands full with clearing debris from trees that were damaged. The crews worked until 4:30 a.m. Monday morning to get all roads back open in the city.

The focus now, Stevens said Tuesday morning, is on clearing the greenway and collecting the debris left behind.

“We ask that residents be patient and help with the process by separating bulk items like metal, wood, limbs, etc. Also, no limbs can be longer than 6-feet in length,” he said. 

Photos courtesy of Mike Fisher