Panto Calls Storm "Worst Most People Can Remember"

Easton Mayor Sal Panto is calling Saturday's "the worst storm most people can remember."

"More than 1,000 trees are no longer in our tree inventory," he said in a statement issued Sunday.

Panto is encouraging residents without power to stay with friends or family until electricity is restored.

"We are in contact with Met-Ed because the more serious problem is loss of power," Panto said. "Frankly, I have been out last night and most of today and have not seen one Met-Ed crew. I just spoke to the director and more manpower is coming in from out of the area including Cleveland. So far our conversation with the county indicates that they will not be opening a shelter."

Met-Ed reports close to 9,000 out of power in Easton as of noon Sunday.

The city will help homeowners with storm damage:

• Crews will clear, cut and remove all trees in the public right of way. (This started last evening and continues. It may take several days.)
• Outside contractors have been called in to clear larger trees and trees that are still hanging on wires.
• The city will open and man the Hackett Park leaf and yard waste facility with a chipper. All city residents will be allowed to bring their branches and trees there weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting Wednesday.

All branches placed curbside will be picked up by city crews.

The city forester is assessing street trees to see which ones will have to be completely removed.

“Our city employees are doing a great job of opening up areas that do not have power lines entangled in the trees. Public works, police and fire are working to clear the streets and open all to traffic. We will continue to work with Met-Ed to get power restored as quickly as possible," Panto said.