Upwards of 100 downed trees knocked out power to thousands

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- More than 10,000 La Follette Utility Board (LU B) customers were without power. Roads around Campbell County were blocked by trees. A home in Linden Park suffered major damage.

This tree fell over West Beech Street, near the library, around 10am Friday.

“We had around 30 trees fall over roads starting about 9am Friday going through about noon Saturday,” said Casey Boshears, Director of La Follette Public Works. All roads within the City of La Follette are open, though there’s lots of tree limbs and debris along the side of the roads, according to Boshears.

“First thing this morning, we’ll see starting our cleanup. We’ll have both brush trucks running and crews cutting up trees. It’s gonna be a slow process,” said Boshears.

If anyone has any brush, limbs or trees needing to be picked up, they can call the Public Works Department at 423.562.3548.

“We we are making progress and were able to have all of our customers, except two, back on by last night.  A few customers needed to make repairs on their end before we could reconnect them,” said Regina Kennedy, LUB General Manager.

LUB and Public Works crews teamed all across town.

LUB crews have done a tremendous job in getting most customers back on after such widespread damage, according to Kennedy.  “I appreciate our operations crews, engineering staff, dispatchers, water department employees, and office personnel who have all worked together to serve our customers by restoring power and answering phone calls following the storm,” said Kennedy.

Lots of trees came down across the county. “We cleared a couple of trees early on Friday, and then we had a lot of trees down Friday afternoon into Saturday about mid-day,” said Campbell County Road Superintendent Ron Dilbeck.

County road crews cleared a few trees Saturday afternoon and one Sunday morning. “Nothing like Friday,” said Dilbeck.

At least 50 or more trees fell across the county, according to Dilbeck. “We still have a lot of debris to clean up,” said Dilbeck.

Gradual improvements to our weather begin Monday with Wednesday being our first rain-free day in a while. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 09/30/2024-6AM)

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