Severe storm sweeps through Manchester hours before fireworks
A large limb in Wurster Park with a tree down on a garage in the background. A severe storm swept through the Manchester area Friday evening, leaving downed trees, branches, and power lines in its wake. Photo credit: Fritz Swanson.
by Sara Swanson
Last Friday, just hours before the fireworks were scheduled to proceed, a severe thunderstorm moved through the Manchester area, knocking down trees and branches, and knocking out power for many residents. Trees were cleared out of roads and the Men’s Club fireworks were able to proceed that night. However, many residents spent the evening and rest of the weekend cleaning up, assessing damage, and dealing with the lack of electricity. As of Sunday afternoon hundreds of thousands are still without power across Michigan, including in Manchester, with estimations on restoration well into midweek.
If you are looking for somewhere to charge your phones and sit in the air conditioning while your power is out, the Manchester District Library is not an option, for Monday at least. The building which also houses city offices and the senior center has a phase of power out so the library is closed. They plan to open on Tuesday unless full power is still not restored. In the meantime the Chelsea Library and the Clinton Library both have power and are open on Monday.
The City has announced a special brush collection to help clean up storm fall through Friday, July 10. Bring your brush to the curb by Friday and the city will pick it up. After Friday, they ask that you store it in your yard until the next regularly scheduled brush clean-up at the beginning of August.
As for the fireworks, a Men’s Club’s spokesperson explained that the storm put a damper on things but it was still a celebration, stating “The weather didn’t steal the night, our DJ kept the party moving at the beer tent, and the overall vibes were absolutely immaculate for everyone who braved the elements.” He added that a highlight of the night was right after the storm rolled through they had a ton of random folks from the community just step up and help with the park pickup. He stated, “It was incredible to see everyone pull together like that.”
Because of the severe weather, the fireworks did have a much lower overall turnout than usual, and because the donations from each year are used to fund the fireworks the following year, the Men’s Club is asking for donations to bolster the funding for next year’s show. They are accepting donations for next year’s fireworks digitally via Venmo: @manchestermensclub and by cash and check through the mail to PO Box 171, Manchester, MI, 48158.
The Men’s Club is extending a huge thank you to everyone who made it out, supported them, and donated despite the weather, and giving a special shout-out and thank you to: The City of Manchester & DPW, the Manchester Fire Department, The Washtenaw County, Sheriff’s Office, Steele Graffix, the Rolling Dutch Mountain Bike Team, and all of their supporters and sponsors.
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