Chainsaws and hands – church members removing fallen trees from backyards in Southeast Missouri

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo., (KBSI) – Different churches around Poplar Bluff have been sending volunteers into the community to help with recovery efforts after the recent storm. In some places, chainsaws and people’s hands are the only tools for tree removal that will fit in their yards.

The destruction of the storm has disrupted people’s lives. Local schools closed this week as families grapple with the wreckage.

Fallen trees line the road on Stone Ridge Drive where one family’s backyard was buried in debris. At the Edmundson’s house the storm knocked down trees in their backyard, wrecking their patio, pool, fence, and shed.

Members from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints came out to help. Member Richard Gere said they’ve been lending their hands to the community the past few days.

“Today’s experience has been wonderful. We’ve had a lot of volunteers – people coming out with good cheer,” he said, “and it’s also good for our youth.

Gere said they organize the church volunteers by their abilities – some people doing chain sharpening, refueling and re-oiling, others cutting and pulling the limbs out.

Homeowner Sheldon Edmundson said the help has been invaluable to them – it’s a lot of hard work.

“It’s big. It’s heavy,” he said. “You can only cut it so small. So it’s – it’s very physical.”

Their tools were chainsaws and hands.

“Where I’m at here, you can’t really get machines in. You can’t get bucket trucks, really,” he said. “Everything’s too narrow so it’s gotta be done by hand.”

Volunteer Blake Millner said it was a positive experience.

“I love helping people,” he said. “I was a lot more fortunate than a lot of other people were, and if I don’t have to take care of anything at my own house, why wouldn’t I be out helping others?”

Millner helped with removing the heavy trees they’ve been cutting into pieces.

“I definitely wouldn’t say that it’s easy, but at the end of the day, all the soreness is worth making sure other people have what they need,” he said.

Edmundson said his family will be paying it forward. As soon as their backyard is picked up, they’ll be out helping someone else who needs it.