Clinton Township

Clinton Township gets no help from state after tornado

By Heidi Roman
C & G Staff Writer

Neighboring communities assist after state of emergency declared

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Clinton Township asked the state for extra manpower and equipment to help clean up after a tornado tore through the community Aug. 19, but didn’t get the aid requested. Removing tree limbs and branches that are scattered throughout most neighborhoods will take weeks, but help from neighboring communities could speed up the process.

The township declared a state of emergency Aug. 23, formally requesting aid from the Michigan State Police Emergency Management Homeland Security Division. Declaring an emergency was a formality in the process of seeking help, but Paul Brouwer, emergency management coordinator for the township, said it’s been a long time since a storm that severe came through the area.

The tornado touched down near Groesbeck and Metropolitan Parkway at 7:43 p.m., traveling toward Harper and 14 Mile roads before dissolving. Winds gusted to 85 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

No major injuries were reported. After the storm, the biggest problem seemed to be uprooted trees.

The township Department of Public Works employees started clearing the large trees from major roadways and neighborhood entrances right away, and then got four hours of sleep before heading back to work the next morning. The employees have been on 10-hour workdays ever since, and it’s still not enough to handle the chipping that needs to be done.

“There’s a safety and fatigue factor here,” Brouwer said. “They’re going to be working their tails off.”

The township has three chipping crews the remove limbs and branches that residents dragged to the curb. Officials requested five additional crews from the state, but were denied last week because the situation doesn’t qualify as an emergency that effects public health and safety, Brouwer said.

But instead of getting chipping crews from the state, the township is getting them from its neighbors. Fraser, Center Line, Warren and Sterling Heights have all offered their services.

Brouwer said the assistance is much appreciated, especially since budgets are tight everywhere and no community wants to incur overtime costs. Clinton Township will likely have to pay Public Works employees overtime because of the number of hours they’ve been working.

On one residential street near Gratiot and Metropolitan Parkway, there were so many piles of branches that the chipping truck was filled up and emptied five times on that street alone.

Not everyone is waiting for the chippers to make their way to their street, though.

“There are a lot of people that have contracted with private companies because there was subsequent damage to their home, so their insurance companies are involved,” said Public Works Superintendent George Westerman.

For those hoping to take advantage of the township’s chipping service, patience is the name of the game.

“We’re going to get to it just as soon as we possibly can,” Westerman said.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Heidi Roman at hroman@candgnews.com or at (586)218-5006.