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News
12/19/2009
Extensive Damage from Winter Wallop
The heavy, wet snowfall that started on Friday afternoon continues to keep many Holston Electric Cooperative (Holston EC) customers in the dark. After working outage reports around the clock since Friday afternoon, Holston EC Director of Operations Don Morrell estimates that there are still nearly 1,800 folks without power. “Our service area suffered extensive damage from the storm and it will not all be restored for at least a couple more days,” Morrell stated. “As our line crews get power lines back up on the poles, damaged tree limbs and large piles of heavy, melting snow are falling on the lines and taking them down at other locations. It’s been a frustrating day.”
In addition to two crews from Appalachian Electric Cooperative in Jefferson City, Holston EC is expecting six additional contract crews from Volunteer Electric Cooperative and Fort Loudon Electric Cooperative to report for duty Saturday evening. The experienced line crews will help Holston EC crews to get power restored to folks as soon as possible.
Holston EC employees have staffed the office phone lines throughout the night and weekend and continue to advise customers who call in to be prepared to seek shelter with friends or family members who do have power. Customers can also take advantage of the emergency shelter that has been opened up at the National Guard Armory in Rogersville. Hawkins County Emergency Management Agency director Gary Murrell urges residents to call 911 if they need transportation to the emergency shelter or need information about the shelter.
The safety of Holston EC employees and customers is our first priority and we urge folks to stay clear of any downed or low-hanging power lines. These lines should be considered energized and deadly if contacted. Outages or damage reports can be called in at 272-8821 or 235-6811 where a dispatcher is always available to receive reports.