Thousands Still Without Power at Noon From Storms

May 9, 2024 – HERE News

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.

As we move into midday, thousands of customers in multiple counties remain in the dark following the severe storms that swept through the region yesterday. Power companies across the area have been laboring non-stop to restore power, yet they estimate nearly 25,000 customers are still without electricity.

Status of Power Outages by Company

The Electric Power Board (EPB) has reported that nearly 10,000 customers in their service area are still affected by the power outage. The hardest hit regions are spread across Soddy Daisy, Signal Mountain, Middle Valley and Collegedale.

The Sequachee Valley Electric Co-op acknowledges their deficit with about 3,000 people registered out of power in the valley and plateau areas. Notably, the major instances are in Grundy County with 2,300 people without power, specifically in Altamont, Coalmont, and Gruetli-Laager.

Volunteer Electric, whose coverage involves several counties within southeast Tennessee, have reported over 10,000 people without power. This loss is mostly concentrated in Bradley, Hamilton, and Polk counties.

Across the state border, Georgia Power addressed outages in Trenton and Chickamauga, with the worst hit zones located from Dalton to Chatsworth and over the mountain in Ellijay. According to their update, they have 2,400 customers without electricity.

Last night’s tornado warnings in Northeast Alabama resulted in persistent power loss in the area. North Alabama Electric Cooperative (NAEC) reports over three hundred outages, mostly in Jackson County.

Efforts to Restore Power

All affected power companies have enlisted additional crew members to hasten the restoration process and are coordinating with each other to efficiently address the high number of outages.

Power companies are advising customers to stay away from downed power lines and to report them immediately. Homeowners who utilize generators are being urged to ensure they are properly installed and used in a well-ventilated area to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

All residents are being asked to be patient as crews work diligently to restore power as quickly and safely as possible, given the extent and severity of the storm damage.

Emergency Assistance and Resources

Those still without power are being advised to reach out to local authorities for assistance, as numerous emergency shelters and resource distribution centers have been established. It’s vital for the affected residents to stay aware of local weather updates and news reports regarding the power outage to ensure their safety during this power crisis.

As relief efforts continue, the number one priority remains the safety and well-being of the residents affected by the power outage. This is a challenging time for those affected and a time when communities must look out for one another.

Source: HERE News Network