OTTUMWA —
Sometimes what occurs after the Wapello County Board of Supervisors’ meeting is more interesting than what was on the agenda.
Following Tuesday’s meeting, County Auditor Kelly Spurgeon told board members that Highland Place (also known as the “county home”) had damage to a large storage shed during Saturday’s storm.
Spurgeon and Supervisor Jerry Parker trekked to Highland Place, north of Ottumwa, to see the damage firsthand.
After arriving at Highland Place, Parker and Spurgeon could see shingles spread along the field in the back for about a quarter of a mile. She also noted the residential part was in good shape, but the 50-by-72 feet storage building was flattened.
Tom Dawson, director of maintenance for Highland Place, told Parker he’d “be afraid to run a combine” through any of the nearby fields because there were pieces of metal “as big as Parker’s vehicle” down amongst the corn plants.
Dawson told Spurgeon he had a list of what was lost, adding that some of the tractors in the shed were damaged.
“Our emergency drill worked, and the staff got the residents downstairs, telling them it’s why we do emergency drills,” he said.
The county crew on site said they were cleaning the area and sorting out metal scraps, which should recycle, and taking some lumber to the landfill.
On the way back to Ottumwa, Parker drove by the Dahlonega School on Angle Road to view its condition. One tree was down near the school and a few windows were broken.
In other business, the board:
• Reappointed Leonard Milligan and Joe Mulcahy to the county’s Veterans Affairs Commission.
• Approved payment to the Wapello County Sheriff’s Reserves for 2011-12.
Local News
Related Photos
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The recent nasty thunderstorm pounded many things, and the large storage shed behind Highland Place was no exception. Large pieces of metal landed in a heap or scattered in the surrounding fields of corn. Wapello County Supervisor Jerry Parker and Auditor Kelly Spurgeon visited the site to view the damage. Cindy Toopes/The Courier
Damage at Highland Place inspected
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