Damaging wind, heavy rainfall highlight Saturday’s storms

Power outage calls began at 1:30am Saturday while downed tree reports started at 2am Saturday

TOP PHOTO: Elk Valley was an area that had downed trees during Saturday morning’s storm.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- A couple of severe weather watches on Friday afternoon and evening turned into warnings after midnight Saturday morning. Campbell County was under a severe thunderstorm warning from 1:20am through 2:39am. That warning was preceded by a severe thunderstorm watch and a tornado watch. It was in that 2am through about 4am time fame when most dealt with heavy rainfall and damaging wind.

Power outages and downed trees evidenced the strength of the storms. It was around 2am for the first power outages as crews with the Campbell County Highway Department left out at 2am to begin clearing trees.

The power outages were scattered in nature as calls began coming in to La Follette Utilities Board by 1:30am Saturday. “We had approximately 2,300 customers out at one point. We got most everyone back on by 7pm Saturday,” said Regina Kennedy, LUB General Manager.

“From Caryville Mountain to Elk Valley through Pinecrest, Demory and on the east side of General Stiner Hwy in the valley are where we had trees down,” said Campbell County Road Superintendent Ron Dilbeck. Highway Department crews were first called out Saturday at 2am and were still clearing a tree at Catula late Sunday afternoon.

The potential for more severe weather is in the Monday and Tuesday weather forecasts for Campbell County. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-05/19/2025-6AM)