Heavy rain, storms cause power outages across the Tri-Cities

TRI-CITIES, Tenn./Va. (WJHL) — Hurricane Helene brought high winds and catastrophic flooding to the Tri-Cities region on Friday.

Several power outages have been reported throughout the region.

Tri-Cities, TN/VA School Closings

As of Saturday at 6: 12 p.m., the following outages were reported:

BrightRidge

• Total 976 out

Appalachian Power

• Hawkins County, Tennessee – 1,682 outages

• Sullivan County, Tennessee – 7,632 outages

• Washington County, Tennessee – 135 outages

• Buchanan County, Virginia – 2,932 outages

• Dickenson County, Virginia – 2,568 outages

• Russell County, Virginia – 11,686 outages

• Scott County, Virginia – 10,586 outages

• Smyth County, Virginia – 11,285 outages

• Washington County, Virginia – 15,071 outages

• Wise County, Virginia – 793 outages

Greeneville Energy Authority

• Total 8,164 outages

Holston Electric Cooperative

• Hawkins County/Hamblen County/Grainger County/Greene County -About 3,500 outages

Holston Electric Cooperative reported they are actively working to resolve the widespread outages from Church Hill to Morristown.

LG&E and KU Energy

• Dickenson County, Virginia – 157 outages

• Lee County, Virginia – 1,837 outages

• Russell County, Virginia – 177 outages

• Scott County, Virginia – 33 outages

• Wise County, Virginia – 6,126 outages

Mountain Electric Cooperative

Mountain Electric Cooperative (MEC) is experiencing a “tremendous amount of outages” throughout its system.

A Saturday morning update states the following:

“TVA will not have transmission back up to serve NC until late afternoon, if that even happens. We do not know the extent of the damage once transmission is reenergized. Our phones work off the internet, so calls are being forwarded to our on call service at 911. Please do not call unless you have an emergency. We have additional crews coming in to help us. They will arrive hopefully today. The damage is severe and many roads impassable. Please be patient, as we try to restore as many as possible.”

Powell Valley Electric Cooperative

• 10,512 total out

Bristol Tennessee Essential Services

Power outages are reported throughout the coverage area, according to a post on social media. BTES said it could be “several days” before power is restored systemwide. Around 3,000 customers were without power on Friday night at 10 p.m.

Bristol Virginia Utilities

• A Friday, September 27, 11:15 PM update can be found below::

Crews have been working tirelessly since early this morning and will continue their efforts, as allowed by safety guidelines. Many customers have been restored, but numerous outages remain. Please be prepared that full system restoration will extend into the weekend.

Erwin Utilities

• 1,243 out

“Erwin Utilities is experiencing localized outages of water service due to power loss and flood damage to some facilities,” a news release stated. “We encourage customers to conserve their water for the foreseeable future. Customers will be notified when the outage has been resolved and normal water consumption may resume.”

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