News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Some seven and a half days after a tornado struck the Baxter-to-Cookeville corridor, US 70 reopened Tuesday night.
Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris said the speed limit along the highway has been reduced to 30mph until further notice. He urged drivers to use “extreme caution” in the area. Periodic closures will still occur along Highway 70 as construction and cleanup continues.
Side roads including Plunk Whitson Road, McBroom Chapel Road, North McBroom Chapel Road, Echo Valley Estates and Locust Grove Road remain closed to thru traffic.
“We’ll continue to have a strong, heavy presence of law enforcement in the affected areas, especially in the neighborhoods,” Farris said.
National Guardsmen arrived to help with removal of debris from the roadway Tuesday. County Mayor Randy Porter said the troops provided “amazing work” with big equipment to move heavy debris. City and county public works continues to work on debris removal from the right of ways, Porter said.
Some 6,000 volunteers worked in the area from the period of Saturday-Tuesday to help cleanup.
The curfew has been lifted in the area.
Power has been restored to all homes that have be connected to the grid. Frontier restored long distance service Tuesday. Frontier and Spectrum continue to work to restore phone and data services in the area.
