LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Life threatening conditions have developed across Campbell County as dangerously cold wind chills and slippery spots are the order of the morning. As a result of the strong wind gusts many trees have fallen. At 3:15am, temps hovered around 10 degrees with wind chills well below zero. Take a live look into Downtown La Follette on DEMAND from WLAF and Terry’s Pharmacy.

Campbell County Road Superintendent Ron Dilbeck encourages all who do not need to get out to not get out. “There’s black ice around with little snow on most roads, and we’re laying down salt and gravel. The usual suspect areas are where folks will encounter the most problems in those higher elevations,” said Dilbeck.

Dilbeck’s crews came out earlier than anticipated, not long after midnight. “We’ve been watching and monitoring as this system moves through,” added Dilbeck.

More than 335 LUB customers were without power, mainly in Jacksboro and Caryville according to LUB. Downed trees from the strong winds are creating most of the problems, according to an official with LUB. The first outage call came in around midnight. LUB has three crews, compared to generally one crew during severe weather, out this morning.

Temps will hold in the single digits today with wind chills at minus 32 degrees. The highs will not rise above freezing until Tuesday afternoon. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 12/23/2022-3:30AM)

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