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Tyler neighborhood upset about timing of tree removal

A spokesperson for the City of Tyler says they received nearly 270 calls for fallen trees and limbs in roadways.

TYLER, Texas — Residents on West Lollar St. were relieved to see crews working on their block today following a number of requests for storm cleanup.

"It's a hazard," said Shannon Caddell. "Thank God nobody's kid got hurt." 

Caddell says the large tree has been blocking the road for days.

"What if that would have been somebody's kid walking through when that tree fell?" said Caddell.

She says her frustrations follow calls to the city and no action being made following the storms that swept through Tyler's downtown district early last week.

LouAnna Campbell, a city spokesperson for the city of Tyler's public works and utilities department commented on the timing of the tree removal for this block stating:

“The tree on Lollar Street has AT&T and Suddenlink wires tanged in it. We had to get them to come out and remove their lines before the street department could cut it up. There are only about 6 trees in the streets at this time” 

Crews on scene say the wires posed no threat and confirmed the wires to be fiberoptic. 

Another resident, Valita Waits, says the large tree has been there "all her life" and although she did not hear it fall, she captured a few photos after seeing a fire truck driving down the block.

"I came to my front porch and saw the tree lying across the street and I said 'oh my goodness'."

Waits recalled checking on the neighbor who lived in the house sharing property with the tree and noted they were okay after the event.

"Fortunately, the tree went back on the street and not on to the house."

The City of Tyler explained they have received nearly 270 calls for fallen trees and limbs in the roadways and they have been working around the clock to clean them all, asking for help from other departments.

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