CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – It’s been close to 40 hours since some Montgomery County residents lost power after Saturday’s storm. Utility crews have been working around the clock to restore power to the area.
As of 7:00am on Monday, October 28 around 7,000 CDE customers and 1,800 CEMC members are still experiencing power outages. This is down from more than 40,000 residents who were without access to electricity Saturday.
Downed trees, broken poles, and other debris are causing a longer than desired delay. An estimated 55 broken poles around the area needed to be repaired and replaced. While some residents have grown frustrated with the lack of electricity and Internet access, officials urge everyone to understand it is not as simple as ‘flipping a switch’.
“It’s important to understand that the system sustained major damages, taking on 40 mph winds with gusts of 60-75 mph,” said Brian Taylor, CDE general manager. “CDE’s power restoration process begins with accessing damages at the substations, and getting all circuits operational. Then the focus turns to the distribution system, or primary lines. From there, we examine and repair the tap lines that feed all the neighborhoods.”
If you have service damage, meter damage, or lines down to your home or business CDE Dispatch advises residents to turn off your main breaker until a crew can arrive.
“Our departments are working around-the-clock to make repairs to the power system and get the streets back in shape,” Mayor Joe Pitts said Sunday. “I’m proud of all our City workers who are doing their best to get things back to normal. I’m also proud of the churches and organizations who have stepped up to help, and the countless instances of neighbors helping neighbors. Together, we’ll get these challenges caused by this natural disaster behind us.”
The widespread outages caused Clarksville-Montgomery School System to close Monday, Oct. 28.
Street Department officials are still warning motorists to be cautious at traffic signals as some remain inoperable due to power outages. All drivers are advised that vehicles should come to a complete stop before proceeding through a dark traffic signal.
The department also warned motorists that Madison Street was reduced to one lane in each direction between Pageant Lane and 10th Street so that new electric cables can be installed over the entire length of the three lane section of Madison Street.
Officials estimate that some residents may be without power until Tuesday.