Carlisle Fire Company and other emergency organizations responded to multiple trees down in the Eastman Heights Development on Aug 3 (Photo courtesy of Carlisle Fire Company)
On Saturday, August 3, several thunderstorms rolled through the Milford area, bringing heavy rain, damaging lightening and strong wind gusts. Some of the gusts were reported to be over 60 miles per hour. As a result, downed trees caused significant damage to homes in southeast Milford, especially in the Eastman Heights development. As the trees fell, power lines were pulled down, resulting in widespread power outages.
“Around 7:45 PM, the Carlisle Fire Company was dispatched to multiple storm related incidents at the same time. Based on dispatch information, the higher priority call was located in the 600 block of Hammond Drive,” the fire company posted on social media. “Deputy Chief [Brennan] Fountain made a response to the scene and, upon arrival, found several properties within the street damaged from trees and debris as well as wires down throughout the area.”
Tree damage in Eastman Heights (Photo courtesy of Randy Warnick)
The post continued, stating that it appeared to be a tornado strike or other natural disaster. However, residents stated that it did not seem like a tornado, but more straight line winds that caused the damage, although one resident did report what appeared to be a funnel.
“Based on observation and additional calls to 911, it was determined that the southeastern side of Milford was significantly impacted from the severe weather,” the post said. “As a result of the storm impacted damage, several residents were left without electricity and other valuable resources.”
Residents in Hearthstone Manor, Orchard Hill, Shawnee Acres and other areas in southeastern Milford lost power. Most areas had power returned within an hour or two, but residents of Eastman Heights lost power for about 12 hours as the trees pulled down power lines that had to be restored.
Lightning damage to a Willow on Elks Lodge Road (Photo courtesy of Denise Curtis)
“Lightning struck a willow and split it down the middle while across from us a tree broke at the trunk and blew across the street to a neighbor’s front porch,” Denise Curtis, who lives on Elks Lodge Road, said. “Our canoe took a tumble and the tree a tree in the backyard is now leaning precariously. I am thinking straight line winds, but they were pretty scary!”
Randy Warnick who lives in Eastman Heights shared photos of his neighbor’s yard with large trees on top of a car.
“We were out of power from about 7:30 PM to 7:30 AM. DP&L was out working all night to get our power back,” Warnick said. “One of my neighbor’s trees took out his power line and mine. I think it was straight line winds but one of the neighbors said they heard someone say they saw a funnel.”
Currently, there has been no report from the National Weather Service that the storms spawned a tornado.
Shed damage after thunderstorms rolled through Milford on Aug 3 (Photo courtesy of Gary Emory)
“It was scary! I felt like I was back in Oklahoma during tornado season,” Jo Schmeiser said. “The city had their hands full and did an amazing job getting the electric working in a short period of time.”
In order to adequately assist those hardest hit by the storm, Carlisle Fire Company was assisted by Frederica, Houston, South Bowers, Ellendale, Milton, Sussex County Special Operations and paramedics who were staged and redirected throughout the City of Milford and surrounding areas.
Significant damage occurred Saturday in Milford (Photo courtesy of Karrie Nicole Herrman)
“Despite structural and property damage, there were no major injuries or fatalities, and all incidents were brought under control at 2230 (10:30 PM) hours,” the fire company said. “Special thanks to the City of Milford Electric Department, Delmarva Power, Comcast as well as Milford Police Department and the Delaware State Police plus all the other outside agencies that responded with quick response to restore order within the district.”
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