The recent ice and snow storm that has devastated the area has not only brought hardship and tragedy but has also created a surge in demand for skilled contractors. Local businesses specializing in tree removal, roof repairs, electrical systems, and plumbing have seen an unprecedented influx of service requests due to the storm's aftermath.

Since last Saturday, calls have been pouring into Rich's Tree Service as trees succumbed to the combination of heavy snow, ice, and fierce 50 mph winds. The ensuing cleanup efforts, however, faced a setback as a second storm hit the area on Wednesday, adding a thick layer of ice on top of the remaining snow. Due to treacherous road conditions, contractors like Gillum were forced to postpone their work for safety reasons.

The situation was particularly dire in Multnomah County, where freezing gorge winds had been relentless, resulting in numerous frozen pipes on the brink of bursting after seven days of frigid temperatures. Mike Umumoto, owner of Master Tech Plumbing, revealed that his company was overwhelmed with work, attending to approximately 10 service calls per day. The majority of the calls involved capping or repairing pipes that had ruptured due to the freezing temperatures. However, the ice storms compounded the challenges, making it nearly impossible for Umumoto and his team to reach their customers' homes, with even his own driveway presenting difficulties.

Meanwhile, Mick Gainey, an experienced electrician from A&J Electrical Inc., was on-site in the Cedar Hills area working to restore the electrical system in a house hit by a fallen tree. The storm had caused a powerline to snap and rip the house's electrical meter from the exterior wall. Gainey compared the extent of the damage to the notorious wind storm of 1995, highlighting the severity of the situation.

Unfortunately, Gainey himself experienced damage to his vehicles during the initial wind storm. Four trees fell on his neighbors' houses, and a massive Douglas fir even sent tree limbs flying, puncturing the windshield of his work van and damaging his truck. Thankfully, Gainey's own property, which boasts 21 Douglas firs, appeared to have weathered the recent storm without any major issues. Nevertheless, to ascertain their condition, he plans to bring in a tree specialist for a thorough inspection.

As the cleanup efforts continue amidst the challenging weather conditions, local contractors are working diligently to address the aftermath of the ice and snow storm. With the surge in demand for their services, the community is grateful for their expertise and dedication throughout this challenging time.