Cedar Rapids Weather
Storm in Garrison Takes Out Fire StationBy Dave Franzman, ReporterRelated Content
GARRISON, Iowa - Firefighters in Garrison wanted to respond immediately to reports of serious storm damage in that Benton County community Monday morning. But there was one significant problem holding them back.
The straight line winds one National Weather Service representative estimated at 100+ miles per hour levelled the town’s volunteer fire station. So other nearby communities had to respond while Garrison firefighters started to dig out their rescue equipment from underneath the rubble. Garrison volunteer chief Steve Meyer said five trucks got buried by the collapsing fire station. He was at home in his basement and listening to a police scanner could tell the department was in trouble. “It came across the radio the station was flattened on our trucks and that was the first indication I had how serious it was,” Meyer said. The chief estimated damage to the fire equipment at $50,000. He said rebuilding the fire station itself would probably be a $300,000 job. Firefighters themselves had done much of the original construction work in 1994 and in 2007 with a major addition. Chief Meyer estimated 90% of all the buildings in town sustained at least some wind damage. For about 20% of all buildings, the damage was significant. The town’s library lost a roof that hours later was still blocking a street. Many homes sustained damage when trees and limbs got tossed about by the high winds. John Fowler refurbished a downtown building for a home. Surveying the damage, he didn’t know if he was ready or able to rebuild. “I don’t know whether I have the energy or not,” Fowler said adding “I’ll have to look at the extent of damage.” Despite the extensive damage in Garrison, no one was hurt. Firefighters said they’re ready to rebuild their station house as soon as they clean up the debris and raise the money for a new home. Most Popular >>More Good Stuff |
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