Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for January 31, 2009 CRISIS IN CAIRO

The good news is that a couple of large sections of Cairo were restored to power yesterday. Solar energy helped melt a lot of ice off lines, although trees and bushes remain ice covered. The forecast for temperatures near 50 for the weekend should go a long way in eliminating the source of the disaster.

The clean-up will take...forever!

It appears that the homes remaining without power are "individual" in nature...isolated homes which lost power lines to falling limbs. Now that major sections have been restored, hopefully repair crews can get to these isolated individuals.

Crisis in Cairo

By Ryan Kruger

CAIRO -- Power is slowly being restored in parts of Cairo. But there's still a lot of people that remain in the dark. Days after the harsh weather swept through ice remains on streets and trees. And there are several people saying there's a crisis in Cairo.

"This is the first time I've ever seen anything like this, we've lost power overnight you know but never been anything like this," said James Watkins.

Watkins and his kids have to wear their winter coats everywhere they go. That's because the power pole across the street went down earlier this week. Aside from the extra layering of clothes a gas heater is all the warmth the family of six has available. Watkins is an avid fisherman whose hobby helps feed his family. But now all of the food is spoiled.

For those who couldn't stand the cold. The Red Cross opened up a shelter at Bennett Elementary in Cairo. Providing a bed and food for anyone in need. While a kind gesture it's is far from the comforts of home.

"It's kind of wearing on us, all of us," said Carla Thornquist, whose been staying at the shelter all week.

"We have a large tree that came down, blocked our front door, power lines blocked our back door," said Thornquist.

The extensive damage means it will likely be weeks before the clean up can be completed. About half the people that were staying at that shelter Thursday night were able to go home on Friday. But many of the folks we talked to say the city and the entire county will need a lot of help from the state to get things back.

In particular..."People Helping People in Cairo".