Shiloh Storm Damage 2019

[Ole Miss]

@kilroy15 and I were in the Park yesterday to view the damage from the October 26, 2019 storm. From the Corinth city limits going North on Hwy 2 into Hwy 22 to the Park there were at least 200 trees down along the road for 20 miles stretch. Trees of 3' circumference were snapped in half or pulled out of the ground.
The damage was even worse in the Park. Here are just a couple of pictures. I will post more tonight
Regards
David

 

[bankerpapaw]

How sad.

 

[BrianB]

The environmentalists who now run the national parks have adopted a policy that fallen trees and similar debris will NOT be cleaned up. So no effort will be made to restore the park by cleaning up storm damage (unless it blocks a road, in which case the fallen tree will just be moved off the road). There was a tornado several years ago in the Vicksburg park, and if you drive the tour route you can still see the fallen trees.

 

[redbob]

We were very fortunate in Vicksburg, thanks for the update and while we were in Vicksburg, I saw several "widowmakers" near the roadways that were just barely still standing.

 

[UCVRelics]

Looks like a LOT of damage. Looking forward just how much as it really takes away from the views in the park.

 

[Ole Miss]

In a 1915 report to the War Deparment, the Director sent a message stating there were 280,000 trees in the park. I have no idea if this is an accurate number today but it has to be close. I was told yesterday by a Ranger that 4,400 trees are down or damaged and those are just the ones along and blocking the roads.
I was told that only 2 markers were damaged and that all the monuments and artillery pieces are not damaged.
The storm of 1909 that did so much damage and took several lives was recreated 110 years later almost to the day.
Regards
David
Damage in the National Cemetery

 

[Ole Miss]

A close call for these cannons of Bankhead's Tennessee Battery
Regards
David

Pretty strong winds

 

[Ole Miss]

One of 2 tablets that were damaged/destroyed. This is the missing tablet of the 21st Missouri Infantry
Regards
David

Here is what the tablet did look like

 

[Ole Miss]

Beautiful trees destroyed!
Regards
David

The tall pine just behind this downed tree is where the Bald Eagles have their nest.

 

[Ole Miss]

More of the storm damage with one of 4,400 trees lost or damaged along Ruggles' Battery
Regards
David

More damage

 

[Ole Miss]

We found the 2nd tablet that was destroyed and once again Bankhead's Tennessee Battery was in the line of the storm
Regards
David

This battery is perhaps 20 yards from the road, which shows how much the Park has had to clean up and how far along they are 4 weeks later. They are doing a great job dealing with this disaster and have much more to do.

 

[UCVRelics]

I really hate to see all this damage.

 

[redbob]

Beautiful trees destroyed!
Regards
David
View attachment 336104
The tall pine just behind this downed tree is where the Bald Eagles have their nest.
View attachment 336105

How did Hiram and Julia (the bald eagles) make out?

 

[Ole Miss]

There are so many trees that are down deep off the road that are clustered together. Saw 4 large trees, diameters of 3' to 4' pulled out of the ground or just snapped in half.
Regards
David

 

[Ole Miss]

@redbob the eaglet has left the nest and Hiram and Julia seem to be fine. I did not see them but was paying more attention to the storm damage and making sure all my beloved cannons were OK.
Here are some close calls.
Regards
David

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

The damage is sad, but trees regrow, and markers get replaced. I just hope no tree around during the battle were destroyed, if so witness tree pens?

But I don't think there's anywhere near the damage as the 1909 storm.

 

[UCVRelics]

There are very few original trees and I only know of one which is the one we made a pen from but will always take others.

Welcome to Civil War Witness Pens

During 1861-1865 in the United States, trees were present to witness the bloodshed and carnage of the American Civil War

civilwarwitnesspens.com

 

[Ole Miss]

@Rusk County Avengers you are correct as this storm is no where near as powerful as the 1909 storm. As to the subject of "witness trees", the same 1915 report mentioned above that there were 220 "witness trees" among the 280,000 in the Park. Now as to how many are left or damaged in the storm I have no idea as that would require a dendrochronologist. Perhaps that is a question for @TomP?
Michael be sure and share these photos with Brother Tom as I know he loves trees pulled out of the ground!
Regards
David

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

Oh I let him know I might see Shiloh for the first time before a CWT gathering there. Tom be ecstatic at those numbers of trees down.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

@Ole Miss, thanks for capturing these sad images.

It was very bad in our section of Mississippi (about 330 miles south) that weekend, but I had no idea such level of damage reached up to Shiloh.

The environmentalists who now run the national parks have adopted a policy that fallen trees and similar debris will NOT be cleaned up. So no effort will be made to restore the park by cleaning up storm damage (unless it blocks a road, in which case the fallen tree will just be moved off the road). There was a tornado several years ago in the Vicksburg park, and if you drive the tour route you can still see the fallen trees.

You're absolutely correct.

I'll do my best to refrain from opining about this policy, but I can say with facts: the National Park Service is not known to be the first agency on the scene when it comes to removing downed trees from "their" roads.

That same unexpected October 2019 tropical system took down some trees along the Natchez Trace along the West side of
Jackson, Mississippi. That part of the Trace is still closed until "further notice".

Temporary Closure of a Section of the Natchez Trace Parkway Motor Road - Natchez Trace Parkway (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

We're not talking about gigantic California Redwood trees blocking the road.

Anyway, I do hope the NPS cleans up Shiloh.