LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – On Friday, the storms moved out, the high winds picked up, and those extreme winds over stayed their welcome. Around 3pm Friday is when the pace quickened with falling trees prompting lots of agencies responding to help. And it did not get any better from there.

Many roads around Campbell County were blocked by fallen trees all the while power lines and power poles fell knocking out power and creating additional issues. “We have 18 broken poles that we know of for sure along with a few bad transformers. Our guys are getting worn out, and their plan is to work until everyone has power,” said Kenny Baird, General Manager of La Follette Utilities Board.

Crews with the Campbell County Highway Department, like LUB crews, have been out since Friday afternoon going from one fallen tree to the next. “We’ve had a lot of trees down,” said Ron Dilbeck, Campbell County Road Superintendent. Clearing trees began early on Friday for the La Follette Street Department and its director, Casey Boshears.

“This was one of the worst wind storms, especially in a long while,” added Baird.

At the height of the storm, more than 8,000 of LUB’s 23,000 customers were without power. At this publishing, 256 customers are without power, and LUB crews were working 24 active outages scattered from Caryville to Speedwell. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 03/04/2023-9AM)

One Reply to “March, 2023 (Oh, What a Night); 8,000 LUB customers off line at one time”

  1. WILL BE GLAD WHEN ALL THE POWER IS ON…AND OUR MEN CAN GET SOME REST……

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