Contributed Photo By Paul Schulz: Local photographer Paul Schulz took this picture that captured both the beauty of the lightning and the danger of the oncoming storm Tuesday night.
By Jon Johnson
GRAHAM COUNTY – Monsoon storms are a welcome sight this time of year. While the storms can be awe-inspiring, they can also be dangerous.
After waiting with bated breath for the monsoon season to begin, those living in most areas of the Gila Valley got it Tuesday night and with the moisture came the wind, which knocked down power poles throughout Graham County.
The storm swept up through the area south of Safford a little after 6 p.m. and then into the city and the town of Thatcher, knocking down power poles in the Lebanon Road and several along Hoopes Avenue in Daley Estates, where the street turned into a stream for a time. Unlike the last storm, this one brought some rain with it and water streamed down streets and washes.
Power was knocked out south of Safford but was restored within three hours, except for 20th Avenue, Lebanon Road, Wagon Wheel, and S. 14th Avenue areas, which was expected to take an additional three to six hours to restore due to having to replace downed utility poles.
The same result was expected for the southeast corner of Daley Estates, where multiple poles also had to be replaced due to being knocked down.
Other areas under the purview of the Graham County Electric Cooperative that went out for a time included Pima, U.S. Highway 70 near the Klondyke exit, Allred Lane, Quail Ridge, the Gila River Apartments, Thunderbird, the Safeway Plaza, Swift Trail, Safford Ranch, Cluff Ranch, and an area behind JoBi’s Convenience Market.
Linemen from the GCEC worked diligently and restored the power to Pima and to the west of the town in less than a half-hour; Swift Trail in a little more than an hour; the area behind JoBi’s in about two hours and worked throughout the night to restore power in all other outage areas.
Safford also had its crews working as the power went out near Main Street and another pole caught fire, likely from its transformer after being damaged due to the wind.
The wind also caused other damage, including sending a resident’s trampoline airborne before crashing down in an alley.
