On August 10th, a 100 mile per hour wind derecho left 200,000 citizens in Iowa without power (see last blog for more details).
Within 24 hours of the storm, Footprint Project’s response team made their way to Iowa and deployed one solar trailer, two portable solar generators and additional batteries and panels to set up public, clean energy access stations in Cedar Rapids. When the derecho hit Iowa, Cedar Rapids and surrounding cities were some of the hardest hit in the region. By partnering with NECHAMA Jewish Response to Disaster and Rent Solar, Footprint Project was able to directly provide power to over 200 hundred residents, and provide clean energy access to over 1000 residents.
As citizens regained power in the following week, the Solar Energy Rapid Response team (SERRT) returned their solar trailer to Minneapolis and donated two electric chainsaws to assist NECHAMA Jewish Response to Disaster as they stayed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Electric chainsaws are proving to be essential for disaster recovery and volunteer training because they are quiet, light, and do not require gas.
These chainsaws were used for debris removal--the most powerful electric chainsaws can cut through diameters of two feet or more. According to city workers in Cedar Rapids, it will take at least a month to remove all the debris to open up essential streets.
“The ease of getting trees cut up with the saws made it so efficient…rather than using the gas saw we were able to get started right away. The battery life is great too. For training purposes, to get people comfortable, it was amazing. We could divide and conquer with these electric saws. “ - Dorothy Maples, Operations Director, NECHAMA- Jewish Response to Disaster
Although gas-powered chainsaws are much more powerful, on average they require up to one pint of fuel for 15-20 minutes of power. Also, by using electric chainsaws, workers are protecting their ears from the otherwise 100 decibels of noise emitted from gas-powered chainsaws.
Currently, Footprint Project is reaching out to electric chainsaw companies to donate and send equipment to help recover the thousands of homes that were destroyed by Hurricane Laura in the Southeast.
Footprint Project’s mission is to help #BuildBackGreener after disasters by providing cleaner energy to communities in crisis. With the increasing frequency of storms across the country, the time to provide energy sustainably is now.
Please help us further support these communities by donating here to help families and neighborhoods affected by the storms.
