Mat-Su owes debt of gratitude after winds test resolve

Frontiersman editorial board

As strong winds ripped through the Mat-Su Borough for several days, tearing roofs off homes and businesses, dropping trees across roofs, cars and power lines, and filling the air with dust and debris, it also managed to peel the cover from many of the things we take for granted. As the lights flicked out all over the Valley, the power outages caused a wide array of problems for people. Of course, the heat was out for many people, and others were without communication.

Once the power was restored at the Frontiersman, we tried to get back to work as best we could. We did that in the relative safety of our building -- with access to our computers, telephones and the coffee pot. We had the police scanner going, and we tried to keep up with the many calls to emergency responders. One call after another echoed out from the scanner as responders sped around the Valley putting out fires and helping people in trouble. Those responders are volunteers. They worked long and hard to keep the Valley safe -- at great risk to themselves. In fact, one firefighter was seriously injured when a sign crushed the truck he was in. As this editorial is being written, the fireman was listed in critical condition. We send our thoughts and support to his friends and family, and we thank all the brave men and women who answered the call for us.

Another group that deserves our gratitude are the oft-beleaguered folks at Matanuska Electric Association. We're sure their phones were ringing off the hook as Valley residents reported the many wind-induced power outages. Linemen and other workers also put in a long day, and also risked their lives -- scaling poles, replacing and repairing transformers and reconnecting downed lines. You may have been inconvenienced by a loss of power, but, let's be honest, the job those people do is dangerous in the best of conditions, and they displayed great courage and dedication to do it in winds that sometimes reached 99 miles per hour. Most people had the lights back on in surprisingly short order, and we're grateful to the people at MEA for a job well done.

Many others worked hard to keep the lights on, the water flowing and neighbors' roofs intact. Though the winds caused a lot of damage and at least two serious injuries, they also showed us another reason why this community is a great place to live. It's still the kind of place where you can count on your neighbors.