Strong Winds Causing Road Closures In Cookeville

Multiple roads in Cookeville are closed Friday due to severe weather and strong winds from Hurricane Helene.

Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris said Martin Creek Road and South Fork Road have been closed for the time being as trees have fallen and are blocking the road. Farris said Stamp Shady Grove Road is closed due to a pole and powerline being down. Farris said citizens should avoid touching downed powerlines.

“We got a few things going we expect some other things to be occurring,” Farris said. “I don’t think it’s going to quit for the next few hours so just trying to make everybody aware, I know it’s Friday and we got high traffic here in Cookeville and across Putnam County right now on Fridays but just trying to make everybody aware to please pay attention.”

Farris said road crews are actively trying to clear up the areas with closures. Farris said he believes the closures will take a couple of hours to clear up.

“I certainly don’t think it going to take all weekend to get it cleaned up,” Farris said. “For the next few hours, I would say to avoid those areas until the morning if you could.”

Farris said his biggest concern is winds blowing trees down on power lines causing power outages.

“We’ve had two or three power outages across the county in the last little bit,” Farris said. “I think the Upper Cumberland and Volunteer Electric have gotten most of those up and running again. We expect more of those as the high winds continue over the next several hours.”

Farris said people will need to be careful driving at night as visibility will be low. Farris encourages those who have to drive to slow down as roads will be slick or even blocked.