I am stuck between a fallen tree and electrical wires.

[MnMomtoboys]

We lost power during the storm here yesterday and before we could get someone out here to remove it the power returns. Now the electrical co. says its to dangerous to have the tree removed until they remove the electrical line but they won't be here until Monday. So I have to live with this 30 to 40 foot tree resting on our lines until they get here. I have no clue what to do next. No one wants to deal with taking this tree down until the electrical is out and they won't come and turn it off. Idon't see how anyone can think this is safe.

 

[lemondog]

You would think fallen live wires are an immediate hazard and require emergency services. You mean they are waiting a whole week to come turn them off? I would call the non-emergency police number.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

It clearly is not safe, which is why the tree removal folks won't go near it. I would make it clear to the electric company that there is a serious risk here and that you will hold them accountable for their slow response if anyone is injured. (seriously, 7 days to cut power to a set of lines? )

 

[DisMN]

Holy cow OP! That lends new meaning to stuck between a rock and a hard place now doesn't it?

Best of luck with this and I agree with you, it's totally not safe. Perhaps the electric co doesn't realize it's a live wire?

 

[sam_gordon]

Do the lines just go from the pole to your house? I just wonder if they cut power to the lines if they'll knock off a bunch of houses.

 

[mickeyboat]

I would continue to call the electric company until I got a resolution. It should not take that long to get the ball rolling - at least to cut power on the line.

 

[MnMomtoboys]

They do know its a live wire now that we have power. I just don't know what else I can say to them since yesterday I have made 5 or 6 phone calls. I've tried to tell them with the power on and more storms coming that this tree will cause more damage. Its about 10 feet away from the main pole and if it falls that pole is going also. Doesn't matter they will be here on Monday.

 

[tiggger1]

have you tried to call the fire department? they might be able to do something?

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

have you tried to call the fire department? they might be able to do something?

A great suggestion.

 

[GeorgeG]

If it was a major storm, the electric company may be up to their ears in higher priorities. I know that's not much consolation, but one priority is restoring power to the largest number of customers first. We used to try to dedicate a few crews to "cut and run" duty where they would simply isolate downed wires and make them safe until a crew could get back to make repairs. It's not that the company doesn't care about a few customers, but in storm situations you don't tie up a crew making repairs to get a few customers on when that same crew can be making repairs to get a few hundred or thousand on. The best I can say is to stay clear of any downed wires, even if you think they are dead, and try to remain patient.

 

[tOSU]

If it was a major storm, the electric company may be up to their ears in higher priorities. I know that's not much consolation, but one priority is restoring power to the largest number of customers first. We used to try to dedicate a few crews to "cut and run" duty where they would simply isolate downed wires and make them safe until a crew could get back to make repairs. It's not that the company doesn't care about a few customers, but in storm situations you don't tie up a crew making repairs to get a few customers on when that same crew can be making repairs to get a few hundred or thousand on. The best I can say is to stay clear of any downed wires, even if you think they are dead, and try to remain patient.

BEST solution!!

 

[golfgal]

Is the line even down or is the tree just resting on the line between the poles. I have to agree with George-there are higher priority cases to be taken care of with the storms that have rolled through here the past couple days, stinks but that is the way it is. There are only so many people available to fix things. Stay away from the tree in the mean time.

We lost 15 trees at our other house in early July-it stinks.

 

[MnMomtoboys]

They are here to remove the tree of the line. They were surprised I hadn't had anyone stop by yet. What sucks is the phone line snapped about a half hour ago.

Dealing with some of these people has me banging my head up against the wall. There was a tree guy that offered free estimates but then refused to come out unless I hired him. And now with the phone lady kept asking me why I needed phone service when I kept telling her the storm hit a tree and the line snapped. How can you not understand that?