‘It’s been all we can do’- Road Super Ron Dilbeck

Huge trees, 25, 30, maybe 40, really huge trees are down, according to Dilbeck

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- Crews with the Campbell County Highway Department had a short night from late Tuesday night until daybreak Wednesday. Crews are already back at clearing trees and debris from county roads.

Here’s an example of some of those huge trees that crews are moving. This one is on Water Street near Flat Hollow.

“We’ve had our hands full, and it’s been all we can do. Lots of these trees are huge, not the normal wind condition trees. Most times, it’s a lot of limbs and small trees. Not so this time,” said Campbell Road Superintendent Ron Dilbeck. There are some yards of homes where every tree is gone says Dilbeck.

Dilbeck points to the biggest damage areas as Davis Chapel, Carr Wynn and Back Valley Roads. From there, he explains, it’s on over to Ivey Hollow to a portion of Camp Ridge Road, skips a little bit, and then it went on over to Flat Hollow, Powell Valley Shores and to Water Street at the Claiborne County line.

“There are numerous locations scattered all throughout the county including across Caryville Mountain to Stinking Creek and White Oak. Davis Chapel, Carr Wynn and Water Street have the largest concentration of damage,” said Dilbeck.

Lewis Lay and fellow crew members are working Davis Chapel Road Tuesday evening.

On this Wednesday, Dilbeck’s crews are concentrating on the Carr Wynn-Davis Chapel areas. “We want to open these roads and make sure they are safe. Now, if you come across a road that is closed, and you need to get home, call us, 423.562.8042, and we’ll get you through,” said Dilbeck.

“There are still trees blocking roads that we don’t know about. Please let us know,” said Dilbeck. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-07/31/2024-6AM)