Iced Tower Collapse Knocks 2 Stations Off Air

It may be reminiscent of a Beatles song, but WEAU-TV (Channel 13) got a little help from friends after its monstrous transmission tower north of Fairchild tumbled to the ground Tuesday night.

According to a story by Chuck Rupnow at leadertelegram.com, the Eau Claire, WI station returned to the airways rather quickly Wednesday, after a combination of ice and wind reaching speeds of 40 mph took down the majority of a 1,998-foot tower that was, until then, the state's tallest artificial structure.

There was a report that ice as thick as 3½ inches surrounded portions of the tower's frame.

The structure went down at about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday along Highway H in the town of Fairchild, a remote area of eastern Eau Claire County. Parts of the tower fell in different directions and closed the highway, which received some damage, according to the Eau Claire County Highway and Sheriff's departments.

Metal from the 45-year-old tower was strewn across the roadway but was cleared from the road late Wednesday afternoon. It was uncertain when the road would be reopened to traffic, largely because of damage to the highway.

Terry McHugh, WEAU's vice president and general manager, said a combination of efforts among other broadcast stations and a cable provider allowed WEAU to return to the airways at about 10:35 a.m. Wednesday.

"I have to thank our fellow broadcasters," McHugh said. "They all came together to help us. Their response was phenomenal."

The collapsed tower also was used by Maverick Media radio stations. WAXX-FM temporarily switched Wednesday from its normal 104.5 frequency to 92.9.

McHugh said he was working with Maverick Media to have signals transmitted from WEAU's 1,000-foot tower in Eau Claire. Maverick Media officials could not be reached Wednesday afternoon.

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