Historic EGLOFF House Damaged In Storm, April of 2012

EGLOFF, SANDAHL, HARDY

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 4/21/2012 at 05:42:15

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Monday, April 16, 2012
by Kristin Buehner

Egloff house damage assessed

MASON CITY — Damage is being assessed at the EGLOFF House in Mason City after a portion of a two-trunk burr oak tree fell on the roof Sunday when high winds hit the area.

The house, at 655 Seventh St. N.E., is in a flood buyout area.

City officials had hoped to move rather than demolish the 1939 house, a rare example of the International Style of architecture in Iowa. It is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

"The tree falling has no impact on our desire to move the house," said Tricia SANDHAL, city floodplain administrator. "In fact, it will make it easier to move."

The tree was approximately 45 feet in height. It fell sometime between 9 a.m. and noon Sunday, SANDAHL said. It is being removed.

"It appears the fall was due to the heavy wind gusts combined with significant rot at ground level where the two tree trunks converged," SANDAHL said.

The Mason City Police Department notified her Sunday that it had received a report that a tree had fallen against the house and that the power lines were down, she said. Alliant Energy was called to cut power to the lines.

"The south half of the tree was resting against the house and several large branches had scraped the west side of the house, causing minor damage to the mast above the electric meter and tearing the power lines out," said SANDAHL, who was at the scene.

Cutting Edge Tree Services was hired to remove the tree the first thing Monday morning.

"We haven't been able to do a full assessment of the damage," SANDAHL said. "However, they've got everything off the roof."

Bergo Construction was assessing the roof damage Monday and would do any necessary repairs to the rubber membrane roof to ensure the house is water-tight, SANDAHL said.

"From the ground, it looks like some of the copper flashing above the second-floor bathroom windows is damaged and there is what appears to be minor damage to the stucco where the tree trunk is resting and where the crown of the tree scraped the side of the house," SANDAHL said. "The crown of the tree also appears to have hit the chimney for the living room fireplace."

This morning, the city electrician will inspect the mast and meter and get the service ready for Alliant to reconnect the power line and re-energize the house.

"Once we get the power back on, we'll do an interior assessment to see if there is any interior damage due to the roof damage and the rain we’ve had over the past two days," SANDAHL said.

One of the conditions of the city's funding for the project is that trees on the buyout properties be retained wherever possible.

"The initial plan was to cut the house loose and slide it to the east to avoid removing this tree," SANDAHL said. "Now that it is going to be gone, the house can come straight out to Seventh Street Northeast."

Cutting Edge owner Kevin HARDY said he has contacted a local woodworker who can use the main body of the tree for cabinetry or other items.

Smaller pieces are being cut up for firewood and mulch. Free mulch and firewood will be available to the public at 400 N. Monroe Ave., HARDY said.

PHOTOGRAPH: Egloff House In Better Days
courtesy of Globe Gazette

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2012

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