Hazardous Conditions Likely Following Wind Events

Sawyer crew out July 7, assessing a blow down due to the 'derecho'.
 (Photo: Christina W.)

From: Joe Parrish
Date: Sat, Jul 7, 2012 at 1:34 PM
Subject: Hazardous conditions likely following wind events

Hi folks,

Please share among your maintainers.

Lots of folks, including yours truly, are still without power from the derecho http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derecho that blew through our area Friday, June 29th as well as several subsequent severe storms that have caused additional damage.

Reports are trickling in that portions of the Trail have significant amounts of limbs, tops, entire trees and/or multiple trees across the Trail and more reports are likely as folks get out on their sections this weekend.

Please exercise more than the typical level of caution when clearing the Trail of this debris.  Wind events like we're experiencing can create more complex scenarios than usual with significant forces pent up and binds in multiple and unusual directions.

As always, take your time to evaluate what's going on with every cutting scenario. The more complex problems are like a game of pick up sticks, only with much greater consequences.  In general, work your way from the outside in and top down, assessing and re-assessing before and after each cut.  The goal is to relax the pent up stresses methodically and gradually, while on the opposite side from where those forces are headed and maintaining awareness of what else might move along with the piece you're working on.

Prioritize obstacles that are causing the most resource damage due to the walk-arounds.  If you are uncomfortable with any scenario you encounter *WALK AWAY* and notify your partners at the ATC, US Forest Service and National Park Service - Blue Ridge Parkway and we'll help you with determining and implementing a solution.  Safety first and always.

Be aware of the possibility of additional severe weather events, which are tending to occur in the late afternoon.

Be careful out there folks.

Joe

--
Joe Parrish
Regional Trail Resources Manager
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
110 Southpark Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24060