WESTERN MASS. – Tropical Storm Isaias blew through the Pioneer Valley on August 4, bringing high winds and heavy rain. The result: downed trees and power lines, leaving thousands of Western Massachusetts residents without power.

The towns of Wilbraham, Hampden, East Longmeadow and Longmeadow were no exception to this, with each town experiencing power outages, downed trees and significant debris cleanup.

According to the Wilbraham Police Department and Fire Department's Facebook page, they responded to over 100 calls between the time the storm began on Aug. 4 and the next day on Aug. 5.

The town of Wilbraham released a statement on Aug. 6 that the town would not be doing curbside cleanup of storm debris, however DRC customers are encouraged to bring brush debris up to six inches in diameter to the DRC facility. For those residents who are not DRC members, passes can be purchased from the town for $120. The passes would remain valid from the time of purchase until September 30, 2021 by contacting the collectors office at 596–2800 ext. 206. Debris will not be picked up at any street curbs. Should a Wilbraham resident have further questions, they can contact the Department of Public Works at 596–2800 ext. 208.

As of Aug. 7, some residents were still without power, while some roads were still not cleared in Hampden, according to the Hampden Police Department Facebook page. The department wrote, “We continue to try our best to work and get tree crews and National Grid into town and to stay in town to clear roads and restore power. The response to our repeated requests has been limited.”

The day prior, the Hampden Police Department Facebook page reported that there were 30–plus locations involving trees and wires in town, and nearly half of the town was without power.

In East Longmeadow, many residents and businesses were left without power and water service. Within a day water service to East Longmeadow resumed, however power remained out for several days in town. As of Aug. 7, according to the East Longmeadow Fire Department's Facebook page, there were 22 line crews working in town that day to restore the remaining outages.

In Longmeadow, by Aug. 5, a day after the storm, 38 percent of households were without power. Residents were asked to restrict non–essential water usage for two days to allow their water tank to fill to capacity after the water pumping system did not have power. In addition, by Aug. 5, all major roads were clear however there was a multi–day clean up for secondary roads.

Increased hours for the Recycling Center for debris cleanup was extended in Longmeadow. Residents are able to go to the recycling center on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. And Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For yard waste and debris drop offs, according to the Town of Longmeadow Facebook page.