The Village of Bradford lost their power yesterday around 1 pm, following an afternoon storm that blew through the village, breaking 19 or 20 utility poles. Now Friday, around 12:30 pm, the water main that brings water from the tower and carries it to the building where it’s pumped to the entire village, also broke. Residents of Bradford are now without water and electricity.
The village maintenance crews are on the scene, as well as Judd Construction, trying to repair the damaged pipe, but Julie Gage, treasurer of the Village Board, said there are no estimates to when the repair will be finished. Even after that, she said, a boil order will be in effect.
Bradford has around 650-700 residents, Gage said, and they could use some water. She has tried to call the Red Cross, but hasn’t gotten any help so far.
Gage said there has been a break in the Village water pipes before, since their main thoroughfare gets a great deal of traffic from large trucks, but it’s never cut off water for the entire village before.
The break occurred after the storm, she said, and water begin to bubble up from the area. At the time she spoke to The Kewanee Voice, the Village had been without water for about four hours.
Ameren has been on the scene to try to restore electricity since Thursday, but by late Friday afternoon, Village residents had been without power for over 24 hours.
Update: Water donations can be made at the Bradford Fire Station, or contact Jim Chadwick at (309) 238-2073.
