News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Overton County officials are declaring a state of emergency as the county deals with more than 5,500 power outages.
“We were notified that between fifty five hundred and six thousand residents are without power,” Emergency Management’s Chris Massiongale said. “They worked all night. But we’ve had up to a little over an inch measuring ice on our limbs and trees. And so we want to try to get some assistance in here from state shelters so that these folks that don’t have power have a place to stay warm and get nourishment.”
Massiongale said Upper Cumberland Electric reported it could be four days before all power is restored.
The county wants to open at least three shelters, Massiongale said, over the next couple of hours. One church that is willing is without power currently.
“Whenever the county executive declares a state of emergency, what that does is open up doors that we don’t have available to us locally,” Massiongale said. “To get assistance from state and federal agencies as well, it allows us to fund the cleanup efforts begin.”
Massiongale said power crews continue to work to restore power. However, they would get an area cleaned up only to have the work undone by new trees falling. With temperatures not moving Tuesday and a lack of sunshine, more trees could fall, Massiongale said.
If you are without power currently, Massiongale said you can call if you are struggling.
“If you’re without power, of course, try to stay warm,” Massiongale said. “If you have a fireplace or a heating device that is approved for home use, of course you use it. Do not use any type of device that is not approved for use because you have to worry about carbon monoxide poisoning. If you need help, call 911 and we will send help. We have people that are on standby, ready to go, if you need any type of assistance, please.”
