Brockport weathers ice storm

Brockport residents dealt with power outages for more than two days in the wake of the February 1 ice storm that buffeted the region.

Mayor Josephine Matela said the village’s Main Street area was without power for the better part of two days because of a blown circuit at the Niagara Mohawk substation. "We were in constant contact with Niagara Mohawk and their linemen during the storm," Matela said.

She commended fire and law enforcement personnel and trustees for their dedication during the storm. "I saw these people respond in a moment's notice and during the course of the storm they performed more than 300 jobs helping people out," she said.

Trustee James E. Whipple said the trustees and the mayor took turns being at the fire and police stations to check on the status and welfare of residents. "Whenever you get a so-called disaster like this or when a peril hits the community, we all come together," he said.

Whipple said the fire department dealt with accidents, house fires and downed wires in between pumping basements. "It's a good feeling knowing that people in the community gave up their time to help friends and neighbors," he said.

While the village experienced power outages that ranged from short to long term, non-functioning street lights and felled trees, the village was never under the states of emergency that were called in neighboring Genesee and Orleans counties.