Letter to the Editor: Thank you for the help Marion received from Total Tree Care in Decorah following the damages from the derecho

(Photos submitted by the Burtons)

(The following Letter to the Editor has been submitted by Robyn Thorsten Burton and Mark Burton of Marion (Robyn is formerly Robyn Thorsten of Decorah)

"We just want to say thank you for the help we received in Marion after the Derecho Storm hit our community, especially to the Total Tree Care Team in Decorah. We were not given much warning to the horrific storm that was headed our way that day – no time to prepare for much of anything unlike a hurricane which you have days to get things in order. The winds were that equal to a Category 3-4 hurricane (minus the storm surge).  Who would have thought?  

Marion went from beautiful tree-lined streets and neighborhoods to debris- lined streets and massive destruction to homes in a very short period of time. All power, cell service, cable, internet/Wi-Fi, phone landlines etc. were down and the many streets were impassable at first. Support has come from all over the country to help in many ways. I just want to give a heart-felt thanks to the Total Tree Care Team who showed up shortly after the storm to help clear trees from our building lot, my daughter Ashley's front and back yard, their neighbor's yard and the numerous others on their list.

Alliant Energy provides our house with power. They, along with many other utility companies, worked around the clock to restore power. To have Alliant Energy's passion for their customer's power in your city is worth its weight in GOLD --- just go without power for 7 days in August and see their efforts.

Thanks Decorah for all the supplies, non-perishable food, generators, coolers, tree services, and everything else not mentioned that have been delivered!

I am proud to call Decorah my 'Home Town'!"