Storm 05.08.2010

(click photo to enlarge)

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  It all started with hail almost half-an-inch in diameter. My wife turned to me an said, you like to do stupid things, want to go for a ride? So I agreed and said sure.
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  Jumped in the car and headed off down Clifton Blvd. storm just getting going.
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  Very quickly the water level started to rise on Clfton.
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  At the time we thiught it was the rain coming down. We had not even thought of the leaves clogging the sewers.
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  So many people were stuck out or going home traffic never really fell off through the storm.
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  At West Clifton on Clifton we ecountered a tree and wire burning.
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  Which would occisionally flare up, pop and explode.
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  At the peak of the storm the Lakewood Fire Department arrived and kept thing under control.
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  This photo taken the morning after shows the damage...
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  While a wider photo shows the tree that did the damage.
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  As we headed back on Clifton we noticed the water getting deeper and deeper.
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  Down on Lake another tree down knocking out the power at the Marathon Station.
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  Down on Edgewater we saw this tree had fallen and taken another tree out as well, ending up in the house.
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  Snap at the trunk, as many were.
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  What you can see is the reoccuring sign of rott and age that is through many trees in Lakewood.
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  The next morning you can see the tree more clearly.
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  right through the windshiel into the dash board, through the instruments into?
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  Even the squirrels were amazed.
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  Tree crew was there at 8am!
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  Back up to Clifton where we had counted 10 trees down.
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  Water was stillgetting deeper. Here in front of Lincoln.
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  Next morning.
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  Turning on Summit and Edgewater saw leaes everywhere.
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  On the other side of the street the mulched leaves cover all the sides of the homes, indication circular winds.
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  Leaves were sometimes 4 inches deep.
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  Next morening they had been flattend but still there.
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  Short break at Edgewater Beach
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  Short break at Edgewater Beach
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  On Edgewater yet another tree, another 10 on Edewater down, and many more around Clifton Park.
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  Next day the damage is easy to see.
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  More on Lake.
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  Driving down Clifton we see green jump out at us in the night. We stop and turn around...
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  We see just how close disaster was.
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  On West Clifton
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  Clifton Park brick porch gone.
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  Lake Road.
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  Councilman Mike Summers checking out his Ward and neighborhood.
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  Again the damage can be seen on the house, and inside the tree.
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  At the top of the steps leading down to Clifton Beach 2 trees down
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  While down at Clifton Beach they lost two magnificent Willows.
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  And the new beach house roof as can be seen by this photo.
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  The road down was covered in wires and branches
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  In Rocky River...
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  On Westwood, 3 blocks south of the storm path was this home.
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  On Westwood, 3 blocks south of the path was this home.
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  Lakewood cleans up.
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  Then the oportunists and carpetbaggers put up signs illegally.
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  Garage ciut in half
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  This sign had been twisted in the wind, then taken down.
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  In Rocky River
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  Even the tops of the tulips were missing from The Dever Family flower pot at Lakewood Park!
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  Back to the garage cut in half. After three days of hard work and clean-up Lakewood is back, and maybe stronger than ever. It always makes me smile when neighbors walk out of their homes and pull together.
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