(c)2009 NPT PHOTO BY RICK HOOPER

Multiple lines of thunderstorms brought strong winds and heavy rains to Cocke County
Thursday evening. The Bridgeport area was hard hit by the storms as shown above with
trees limbs being broken and power lines being downed. The power pole at this mobile
home of Michael Farmer was snapped after a large oak tree limb landed on the power
service line. Newport utilities reported outages throughout the county due to storm damage.

NEWPORT-Wednesday evening's storms left an estimated 1,000 Newport Utilities customers without power, according to Jimmy Robertson Electric Department Manager.

According to Robertson, high winds blew over several large trees destroying at least two Newport Utilities poles and two customer-owned service poles.

"Rock Hill Road, Sweetwater Road, Piney Mountain Road, Lark Road, Industrial Road, Lower English Creek Road, Indian Hills, Northport, Hwy. 160, Hwy. 321, Cosby Highway, Edwina Road, Castle Heights, Chestnut Hill, Riverview Estates, and other locations were affected," Robertson said.

"This morning we still have lines or poles down in Castle Heights, Wright Road, and Rock Hill, affecting approximately 50 customers. Numerous customers have also sustained damages to their electrical service entrances and are in the process of making their repairs. We hope to repair all of NU's damaged lines by this afternoon."

Hall was still with crews working in the Edwina community this morning when he summarized the damages.

"The storm cut a swipe up the new stretch of Cosby Highway," said Hall, "then down through Edwina, Castle Heights, and Rock Hill."

According to Darrell Hall, NU Construction Supervisor, numerous trees were reported down in these areas, especially in the Chicken Hollow and Ike Wright Road locations.

At least two power poles were downed, one in Castle Heights and the other in Rock Hill.

"We only had one call from Grassy Fork," Hall added.

"Our boys worked all night," he continued, "and, in some cases, had to leave their work because of the severity of the storm. They returned this morning and are still working."

Hall and Robertson both said that approximately 18 employees were on duty during the night.

"Over the next few days," Robertson added, "we anticipate making repairs to additional lines that have yet to be reported and reconnecting the individually damaged services."

In addition, Wednesday's storms also caused problems for the Cocke County Highway Department.

Road Superintendent John Holloway said trees were down in several areas of the county, including Carson Springs, Rock Hill, Edwina, Bridgeport and Snow Bird. Road crews, some of which were out all night, also had problems with clogged ditches and flooded roadways.