News Summary
Severe storms have swept through East Tennessee, leaving over 7,000 residents without power. The storms, which included strong winds and hail, also led to a tornado watch across the region. Authorities are urging the public to stay away from downed power lines as crews work to restore electricity. The remnants of Hurricane Helene have contributed to the severe weather, resulting in extensive damage and fatalities across multiple states. Various rescue operations are ongoing as communities rally together during this crisis.
Knoxville, Tennessee – Severe storms swept through East Tennessee overnight, leaving thousands of residents without power on Saturday morning. As of 8:30 a.m., the Knoxville Utilities Board reported over 7,000 customers affected by power outages, following initial reports indicating that over 19,000 customers in Knox County were impacted.
Authorities have urged the public to stay away from downed power lines as crews work diligently to restore service. The storms brought with them strong winds, hail, and isolated tornadoes, leading to significant disruptions across the region.
Most of Tennessee and neighboring Kentucky were placed under a Tornado Watch late Friday evening. Additionally, the National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for several counties, warning residents of the potential for damaging weather conditions.
Outage Details
In specific neighborhoods of East Knoxville, power outages have been particularly prominent. Nearly 800 residents have reported outages in the East Knoxville area, with over 500 affected around Chesnut Grove and an additional 661 near Lonsdale. The Knoxville Utilities Board has projected that power restoration in these areas could occur around 3 p.m. Saturday.
In contrast, the Lenoir City Utilities Board has reported only 30 outages, reflecting a significantly lower impact compared to Knoxville.
Impact of Remnants of Hurricane Helene
The severe weather event has been attributed, in part, to the remnants of Hurricane Helene, which has caused extensive damage and left nearly 4.5 million utility customers without power across 10 states. The storm’s toll extends beyond just power outages, with reports of at least 50 fatalities occurring across five states due to the severe weather.
In Tennessee specifically, officials are advising residents downstream of the Nolichucky Dam to evacuate immediately due to risks associated with heavy rainfall. The Nolichucky River has surged to 17 feet above normal levels, creating a precarious situation for those living near the riverbanks.
Rescue Operations
Ongoing rescue operations are currently taking place in Tennessee, Florida, and North Carolina, necessitated by severe flooding and extensive damage inflicted by the storms. A notable incident involved 50 individuals who found themselves stranded on the roof of the flooded Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin, Tennessee. Local authorities successfully coordinated efforts to rescue those in distress.
As conditions worsen, many communities in South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina have also experienced significant flooding and widespread power outages. By Saturday morning, South Carolina reported over 1 million outages, with further disruptions occurring in Georgia and Florida.
Weather Monitoring and Community Support
The National Hurricane Center is actively monitoring potential tropical developments in the Atlantic, as the ongoing impact of Hurricane Helene continues to disrupt weather patterns across the southeastern U.S. Local communities are being encouraged to support one another during this crisis, particularly as power losses coincide with rising temperatures, heightening health risks for vulnerable populations.
The collaboration and resilience of these communities will be essential in navigating the aftermath of this severe weather event as residents work to recover from the damage and restore normalcy.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Knox County Schools Announce Second Snow Day
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Central US Faces Severe Weather and Flooding Risks
Severe Tornado Outbreak Causes Widespread Destruction Across U.S.
Weather Impact Alert for Knoxville: Severe Storms and Snow Incoming
Additional Resources
- WBIR: KUB Power Outages
- Wikipedia: Severe Weather
- WATE: Power Outages, Sept 27, 2024
- Google Search: Power Outages
- Knox News: Thousands of Power Outages in Knoxville, TN
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hurricane
- Weather.com: Hurricane Helene Flood and Power Outages
- Google News: Hurricane Helene Impact
