Storm brings down lines and causes power outages

On Sunday, July 14, the Waverly Fire Department responded to nearly a dozen calls of service shortly after the storm around 5 p.m., ranging from trees over the road, fire alarms, and cordoning several streets in Waverly due to electrical lines down. Engine 1, Engine 2, Rescue 2, Brush 206, Brush 207, and Traffic 208 responded to the various calls. Piketon Seal Township Fire Department also responded as mutual aid to provide support on one of the calls.

At the time of the outage, several traffic lights on U.S. 23 were without electricity, resulting in no signals. As a public service announcement, the Waverly Fire Department explained on its Facebook page that motorists should treat those intersections as a four-way stop unless law enforcement is directing traffic and use extreme caution.

The list of closed streets and areas included N. East Street between North Street and Walnut Street; High Street between North Street and Walnut Street; and Market Street between North Street and Walnut Street. Outside of the village, state Route 220 at Fish and Game Road was closed due to a tree across the road.

The Waverly Fire Department also issued the following statement to the public at the time of the outage, “We would like to remind everyone that downed lines are very dangerous. If you see a downed line, stay well away. It is best to assume that all downed power lines are still energized and can energize the ground around it.”

The streets were all open as of Tuesday morning.