STORMS ROLL THROUGH MCMINN CO AND CAUSE MANY TO LOSE POWER

Parts of McMinn County and the Athens Utilities Board service territory got their share of storm damage yesterday, from early evening well into last night.   Some incidents actually began as early as about 10 a.m., with downed trees causing problems around County Road 659 where a tree fell and took down lines and a 40-foot power pole along with all ancillary equipment.   Crews got that taken care of with a replaced pole and got the lines back up with power restored to all but one customer by about 11 a.m.

The more pressing issues came with the storms later in the afternoon beginning around 4:30.  From then until late overnight, AUB crews worked many locations with storm damage, mostly trees coming down and impacting services.  The town of Englewood and the surrounding county areas seemed to get the brunt of storm activity, though ample damage was reported and work required in Athens as well.  In particular, the storm took out AUB customers on circuits North Athens 1 and 3 as well with storm-related problems around Kelly Street, Delay Street, and on the John J. Duncan Parkway.

While many areas in Englewood were affected and required response, County Roads 250, 260, 439, Pin Street and Spring Garden Dr., and nearby locations caught the brunt of trouble with many trees and limbs down affecting power services and, well, making quite a mess.   While service was restored to most customers by digging through the tree debris to fix and replace poles, wire, and other hardware, several customers in the area have to get more substantial work done on their properties before AUB can reconnect the services, things such as damaged masts and risers on rooftops.  AUB will reconnect those as soon as they call reporting that repairs have been finished and all is safe to make reconnection.

Lastly, late last night, at about 4 a.m., AUB crews responded to a call around Haley Street reporting no power.  AUB crews removed tree limbs from power lines and closed two of three fuses that had opened, finishing work to get power back on to 38 customers at 4:46 a.m.

As usual, customers were for the most part great to work with, very understanding that the AUB guys were out to help, responding to what Mother Nature brought to the area.  Everyone in the AUB dispatch center did a great job as well, helping to coordinate and communicate the many needs to the crews.

Everyone at AUB wants to thank those involved for the help in locating problems quickly as well as their understanding regarding the work that was necessary to fix all of the problems.