News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
A surprise severe storm produced downed trees, power outages and damage reports across Jackson, Overton and Putnam Counties Thursday night.
The Rickman area appears to be the epicenter of the damage as of 7:20pm. A National Weather Service spotter reported a tornado on the ground at Highway 111 and Highway 293 in Rickman around 6:30pm. Pictures followed of damage at the retail stores located near the intersection with roofing panels and/or siding blown off. The Twin Lakes Tractor facility appeared to suffer roof damage. Several trees and power lines also downed.
Multiple structures damaged in Jackson County, according to Emergency officials. Jackson County Highway Department will return to work this morning clearing any remaining debris from roads. Work remains on Lynn Hill Road and Young Lane. Seven Knobs Road reopened late Thursday evening. No one injured in Jackson County. Residents asked to avoid the damaged areas.
A National Weather Service Survey team will be on the ground from the Nashville office Friday morning.
Upper Cumberland Electric reported nearly 1,000 power outages in the Rickman area as of 7:40pm. Volunteer Energy reported about 40 percent of its Overton County customers without power. The utility also reported significant outages along the White County/Cumberland County border.
Three tornado warnings were issued by the National Weather Service, first as the storms moved into Jackson County. The storm decreased in intensity as it moved into Fentress County.
