County: Windstorm cleanup winding down

Pierce County Road Operations crews spent more than 500 man hours clearing trees and debris from the roadways Friday through Sunday caused by the windstorm that blasted the county.

“During the height of the storm, we had more than 130 locations with trees over the roadway. Road Shop office staff were fielding an average of a call a minute,” said Paul Marsh, Road Operations superintendent.

Areas hardest hit were Edgewood, Lake Tapps, Midland, South Hill, Anderson Island and Fox Island. Crews hope to complete the massive cleanup by Friday. Crews are working only on public rights of way.

Meanwhile, Shawn Rydberg, the Road Operations worker injured Friday by a falling tree, is improving at home. “Shawn indicated he is anxious to get back to work and thanked everyone for their concern and visits over the last three days,” Marsh said. The young worker, who suffered a serious leg injury when struck by the tree in the Lake Tapps area, is to be treated by a physical therapist starting next week.