In the span of 2 hours last night, Watertown Fire Rescue responded to seven calls for service. The calls were generated from a powerful storm system that had moved through the area with confirmed wind gust of 99 mph at the Watertown Regional Airport. Most calls were related to power lines down or trees in power lines.
Crews were called to 4403 SD Highway 20 for power lines down on a house. On the scene, fire crews found several trees down on a power line, causing it to break in multiple places, and the line was lying over the house. The residents inside were contacted via phone and they advised that their were okay and no one was hurt. Watertown Municipal Utilities were called to assess the power line.
WFR fire crews were called to the North Rauville power station on a report of loud booms, high voltage arcing, and fire coming from a large power substation. On scene crews found a very large debris field (provided picture) with heavy damage to multiple trees. The debris blocked 166th Street and was also spread across the substation. A nearby homeowner stated he could see the electrical arcing, but it has since stopped. The home nearby also received some damage due to downed tree limbs, and a large cottonwood was also uprooted in the yard. Codington Clark Electric was contacted to assess the power substation.
WFR fire crews also responded to the area of 720 20th Ave SE for a tree that had fallen into the power lines. The power lines were still intact and active. The tree limbs were found burning on the power line. Fire crews stood by until Municipal Utilities arrived to de-energize the power line and cut the tree out of the power lines. Crews remained on scene until Municipal Utilities crews deemed it safe.
WFR fire crews were called to Hobby Lobby, 2921 9th Ave SE, for a call-in alarm and water in the back room. On-scene crews found the fire alarm had a ground fault alarm, most likely caused by power surges, and the water was from a leak in the roof.
WFR crews responded to the area of 38th Street and 9th Ave SW for a tree that had fallen on the power line, causing it to snap. On-scene crews confirmed a large tree had uprooted and fallen on a transmission line, causing a break. The area was assessed, and Codington Clark Electric was called to repair the line.
WFR crews were called to 940 S. Lake Drive for the home's smoke detectors going off after a loss of power. On scene, fire crews spoke with Municipal Utilities crews in the area about the power loss. Municipal Utilities crews had to temporarily cut power to remove a tree that had fallen on power lines. Municipal Utilities quickly removed the tree and restored power. Fire crews assessed the home for any possible cause of the alarms going off, and no smoke or fire was found. WFR installed a couple of smoke detectors to ensure the home was protected until the homeowner could get his home detectors functioning properly.
Watertown Fire Rescue would like to thank the quick and collaborative response during emergencies by all our partnering agencies. Their swift action reflects a strong commitment to citizen safety and demonstrates effective inter-agency coordination.