(Le Mars) — Strong gusty winds up to at least 61 mph on Christmas night were responsible for blowing off the roof of the Pro-Alignment and Tires building located 414 4th Street SW. The roof blew off the auto repair shop shortly before 10:00 p.m. Insulation from the building was seen scattered throughout the immediate neighborhood. The Le Mars Fire and Rescue
Department along with the Le Mars Police Department responded to the scene. City crews had to use a construction pay loader tractor to remove the roof from the street. Earlier in the evening a large tree had fallen on Central Avenue near 10th Street, blocking the street. City crews again used the pay loader tractor to remove the tree. The winds were responsible for knocking over garbage containers, scattering trash and recyclables all over town. During those strong winds, the northwest portion of town was without power for two hours, leaving hundreds of residents in the dark. Many city officials were commenting how Christmas evening reminded them of the devastating wind storm from the Ice Cream Days. During the course of the day, nearly an inch of rain had fallen on Le Mars. City officials have announced the city public works department will be going around town on Tuesday and Wednesday picking up branches. They ask residents to place the large limbs near the curb once the winds die down later
this afternoon. The city will also open up the tree disposal site located on the west side of town through Friday, December 30th. The hours the tree disposal site will be open are from 6:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
