Press Release

Missouri Forest Landowners and Katrina

By Tony Parks, Current River Pole LLC

The devastating effect of Hurricane Katrina has been well documented since the landfall on August 29, 2005. These reports have been unable to relate the extent of human suffering and the destruction that occurred. Much has been documented as to the relief effort that began almost immediately and continues today. The relief response was so massive that many Missourians were unaware of the part many of our forest landowners played in helping to rebuild the Gulf Coast region.

Those of us living and working outside of the area impacted by Katrina would find the destruction greater than has been reported in the media. The reports have focused on the area along the Gulf Coast in Louisiana and Mississippi which was totally destroyed by the category four hurricane. While much has been said, words are inadequate to describe the horrific consequences of nature’s fury. Everyone has seen reports of cities, towns and communities totally destroyed. What is not reported is the full extent of Katrina. More than 200 miles inland, hurricane force winds battered the people and forests of Mississippi and parts of Alabama and Louisiana. Up to 80 miles inland approximately 60% of the forests were blown down. With the wind’s effects visible throughout the timberland in Mississippi, and as far north as the Tennessee line, salvage operations are ongoing, but it is estimated only 50% of the damaged forest land will be salvaged before stain and decay begins.

While Katrina’s impact to natural resources is measurable, the human suffering continues. It began one or two days before the storm made landfall as businesses closed and most of the population of the Gulf Coast made their way inland to shelters, family or friends. They returned to find homes, schools and work places destroyed. For many the only power was from generators as the power grid was destroyed. In one county in Mississippi, more than 40,000 utility poles were destroyed, and many tens of thousands more destroyed throughout the region. The lower one third of Mississippi was without power for weeks, with many outlying communities waiting on electrical service for up to six weeks.

Utility companies began marshaling resources for the rebuilding of the electrical grid before the storm exited the area. Initially, calls were made to electrical cooperatives throughout the southeast. Missouri sent crews and resources to the Gulf Coast region. The full extent of the damage was not determined for days. As the assessment was completed, it became evident the storm’s impact would require more resources than was readily available.

It is difficult to understand how a disaster in Mississippi can impact Missouri. However, the pine forests of southern Missouri are a vital source of utility poles. By the time Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, Current River Pole Company, a new industry in Licking, Missouri, was producing poles that are being used throughout the southern and Midwestern United States. In response to the disaster, pole supplies throughout the country dwindled to dangerously low levels, utility companies scrambled to meet the demand placed on the electrical grid by Hurricane Katrina and Rita.

A call went throughout the industry to meet the demand. In Missouri, local landowners, state and federal forest managers were contacted. The response was overwhelming. Doe Run Mining Company’s David Patterson, from Viburnum, Missouri, was one of the first to respond to the relief effort. Soon after, Pioneer Forest’s Clint Trammell from Salem, Missouri, offered resources. Private nonindustrial landowners became involved. The Shaw family from Thomasville, Missouri, heard of the need and made their holdings available. State and Federal forest land managers joined the effort, and well over 20,000 utility poles were harvested, processed and shipped from Missouri to the impacted region.

The response from Missouri’s forest community to a national need may not be seen as benefitting but a few in our state. However, many can remember ice storms that have left us without electricity for days. Utility pole reserves are at an all time low due to the unexpected demand created by the severity of this hurricane season. It is expected demand for utility poles will continue for at least twelve months before reserves are high enough to meet unforeseen demands. The response Missouri provided in meeting the needs of the Gulf Coast may result in providing our own state with the needed resources should a natural disaster occur.

This demand for utility pole stock will continue to impact the forest community of Missouri. Additional loggers will be needed to meet the increased needs. These new markets will allow forest managers and landowners an opportunity to more thoroughly manage their pine forests, while improving their return from their land as jobs are created within our state.