Oak Ridge Today

Tornado watch issued for Anderson County

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Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected tonight. Damaging winds, large hail, and lightning will be the main threats with the storms. (Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown)

Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected tonight. Damaging winds, large hail, and lightning will be the main threats with the storms. (Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown)

 

A tornado watch has been issued for Anderson County until 4 a.m. Saturday. In addition to Anderson County, the watch applies to other nearby East Tennessee counties, including Blount, Campbell, Knox, Loudon, Morgan, Roane, Scott, and Union.

The tornado watch was issued by the National Weather Service in Morristown at 8 p.m. Friday.

A tornado warning has been issued for the areas west of Roane County, between Cookeville and Crossville in Middle Tennessee. Crossville is about 90 minutes west of Oak Ridge and Cookeville is farther west.

The National Weather Service in Morristown said strong to severe thunderstorms are expected Friday night. Damaging winds, large hail, and lightning will be the main threats from the storms, forecasters said. [Read more…]

TVA releasing more water from Norris Dam, increasing flow on Clinch River

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Norris Dam is pictured above on Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. (Photo by Tennessee Valley Authority)

Norris Dam is pictured above on Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. (Photo by Tennessee Valley Authority)

 

The Tennessee Valley Authority on Wednesday said it is releasing more water out of Norris Dam, increasing high river flows on the Clinch River, which flows past Oak Ridge.

“Because of more heavy rain in the forecast, water releases out of Norris Dam will increase today to 135,000 gallons per second,” TVA said Wednesday.

TVA has been posting updates on social media about the recent rains and their impact on reservoirs, rivers, and dams. [Read more…]

Man escapes from vehicle in flood water on Airport Road

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A man escaped from a vehicle in flood water on Airport Road on the east side of Oliver Springs on Saturday night, Feb. 10, 2018, authorities said. The vehicle, reported to be a Jeep, was submerged under flood water at one time, but its top was visible early Sunday afternoon. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

A man escaped from a vehicle in flood water on Airport Road on the east side of Oliver Springs on Saturday night, Feb. 10, 2018, authorities said. The vehicle, reported to be a Jeep, was submerged under flood water at one time, but its top was visible early Sunday afternoon. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

OLIVER SPRINGS—A man escaped from a vehicle in flood water on Airport Road on the east side of Oliver Springs on Saturday night, authorities said.

The vehicle, reported to be a Jeep, was submerged under flood water at one time, but its top was visible early Sunday afternoon.

The man called 911 at the Oliver Springs Police Department at about 9 p.m. Saturday, and the Oliver Springs Police Department responded. Members of the Oliver Springs Fire Department also responded.

But the man was able to escape on his own through flood water reported to be chest-deep, authorities said. [Read more…]

Flooding closes several roads, Arrowhead Park in Oliver Springs

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Flooding has closed several roads in Oliver Springs and Arrowhead Park. The closures were announced Sunday morning, Feb. 11, 2018, by the Oliver Springs Police Department. (Photo courtesy Oliver Springs Police Department)

Flooding has closed several roads in Oliver Springs and Arrowhead Park. The closures were announced Sunday morning, Feb. 11, 2018, by the Oliver Springs Police Department. (Photo courtesy Oliver Springs Police Department)

 

Flooding has closed several roads in Oliver Springs and Arrowhead Park. The closures were announced Sunday morning by the Oliver Springs Police Department.

“Please use caution while driving in Oliver Springs,” the Oliver Springs Police Department said. “Several secondary roads are closed such as Airport Road, Midway Drive, Strutt Street, and Bennett Road. Other roads have debris and standing water, so please be careful.”

There was heavy rain on Saturday, and more than two inches of rain were expected in the area between Saturday afternoon and Sunday night, with more rain possible this week, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown.

In Oak Ridge, the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Jefferson Circle is closed due to flooding. [Read more…]

Road conditions still bad, police say; Y-12 closed

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An Oak Ridge Public Works Department snow truck is pictured on South Illinois Avenue on Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 16, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

An Oak Ridge Public Works Department snow truck is pictured on South Illinois Avenue on Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 16, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 11:15 p.m.

Update: Driving conditions on main roads and side streets in Oak Ridge seemed to have improved by about 5 p.m. Wednesday, although there were still patches of ice and snow, including in shopping center parking lots.

Wednesday evening, the Oak Ridge Police Department said conditions had improved on main roads, but side streets were still extremely slick. Drivers should use extra caution if they have to get out tonight. There could be some refreezing on the roads overnight with the low temperatures. Oak Ridge Schools will be closed again on Thursday, January 18, due to the conditions.

A few inches of snow fell Tuesday, and road conditions are still bad Wednesday morning, especially in the city’s neighborhoods, the Oak Ridge Police Department said. The Y-12 National Security Complex and the Uranium Processing Facility offices are closed.

Oak Ridge Public Works Department crews are out clearing and treating the roads.

“If you must go out, please use extreme caution,” the ORPD said.

Y-12 said normal operations will resume Thursday, January 18. [Read more…]

Roads slippery, snow-covered; schools, Key Springs closed

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Streets in Oak Ridge, including main roads, were snow-covered and slippery Tuesday evening, Jan. 16, 2018, and schools announced they would be closed again on Wednesday. Above, the Oak Ridge Police Department responds to a crash on South Illinois Avenue near Centrifuge Way on Tuesday afternoon. (Photo courtesy ORPD/City of Oak Ridge)

Streets in Oak Ridge, including main roads, were snow-covered and slippery Tuesday evening, Jan. 16, 2018, and schools announced they would be closed again on Wednesday. Above, the Oak Ridge Police Department responds to a crash on South Illinois Avenue near Centrifuge Way on Tuesday afternoon. (Photo courtesy ORPD/City of Oak Ridge)

 

Streets in Oak Ridge, including main roads, were snow-covered and slippery Tuesday evening, and schools announced they would be closed again on Wednesday. Key Springs Road—a steep, curvy road that goes down Black Oak Ridge from north Oak Ridge to Marlow—was closed.

The Oak Ridge Police Department advised residents to stay home if they don’t have to be on the roads tonight.

“All roads are snow-covered,” the ORPD said Tuesday evening. “(Oak Ridge) Public Works crews are working to clear and treat roads.”

Even heavily traveled main roads such as Illinois Avenue and Oak Ridge Turnpike were snow-covered and slippery Tuesday evening. Side streets were as well.

The snow, which had started at about 1 p.m. Tuesday, continued past 7 p.m. The forecast had called for a few inches. [Read more…]

Few inches of snow possible Tuesday

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An arctic cold front will move across the Tennessee Valley and southern Appalachians Tuesday, bringing with it accumulating snow and frigid temperatures. Snowfall of 1 to 3 inches is expected Tuesday into early Tuesday night, Jan. 16, 2018. Please stay tuned to the latest forecast for further updates. (Image by National Weather Service in Morristown)

An arctic cold front will move across the Tennessee Valley and southern Appalachians Tuesday, bringing with it accumulating snow and frigid temperatures. Snowfall of 1 to 3 inches is expected Tuesday into early Tuesday night, Jan. 16, 2018. Please stay tuned to the latest forecast for further updates. (Image by National Weather Service in Morristown)

 

A few inches of snow are possible on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown.

There is a 30 percent chance of snow after 4 a.m. Tuesday in Oak Ridge, and snow is likely, mainly after 7 a.m., with a 70 percent chance of precipitation, forecasters said. Local school districts will be closed Tuesday because of the winter weather.

One to two inches of snow are possible Tuesday, and the high is forecast at 28 degrees Fahrenheit, the National Weather Service said. [Read more…]

City reports 20 water line breaks in four days

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A break in a 10-inch water line was reported about 10 feet under Tyler Road at about noon Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. A second crew was expected to provide relief to the first crew at about 10 p.m. Friday. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

A break in a 10-inch water line was reported about 10 feet under Tyler Road at about noon Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. A second crew was expected to provide relief to the first crew making repairs at about 10 p.m. Friday. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 1 a.m.

The City of Oak Ridge reported about 20 water main breaks in four days of below-freezing temperatures, and crews were working to repair one 10-inch water line about 10 feet below Tyler Road near Oak Ridge Turnpike on Friday night.

The City of Oak Ridge said the Oak Ridge Public Works Department has been working around the clock in cold temperatures to repair broken water mains and restore service.

The water line break under Tyler Road was reported at about noon Friday. City workers turned off nine valves between that break and Central Avenue and Tennessee Avenue, but water continued to flow. Workers weren’t able to completely close one valve after it broke, and they were waiting for a second crew to relieve them at about 10 p.m. Friday. In the meantime, a short section of Tyler Road remained closed at Oak Ridge Turnpike, and it wasn’t clear how long it would take to repair the water line. [Read more…]

Dangerous wind chills expected tonight, this week

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Wind chill advisories are in effect tonight (Monday, Jan. 1, 2018), mainly across the higher elevations. Dress appropriately for the very cold temperatures. (Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown)

Wind chill advisories are in effect tonight (Monday, Jan. 1, 2018), mainly across the higher elevations. Dress appropriately for the very cold temperatures. (Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown)

 

The low in Oak Ridge tonight (Monday, January 1) is forecast at 3 degrees Fahrenheit, and temperatures this week are expected to remain very low, mostly below freezing and dropping back down to 9 on Friday night, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown.

A wind chill advisory is in effect from midnight to 10 a.m. Tuesday, January 2, including in Oak Ridge and Clinton.

“An Arctic air mass remains across the region with very cold temperatures expected to occur tonight,” the National Weather Service said. “The combination of the cold air and wind will result in dangerously cold wind chills between 5 below zero to 15 below zero.”

The very cold wind chills will cause frostbite in as little as 30 minutes to exposed skin, the Weather Service said. Wind chills could range from 0 degrees to 10 below zero in East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. [Read more…]

Arctic cold expected, starting Saturday night through at least mid-week

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Bitterly cold air with prolonged sub-freezing temperatures are expected early next week. From Saturday night, Dec. 30, 2017, through at least mid-week next week, temperatures will be at or below freezing across much of the area. (Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown)

Bitterly cold air with prolonged sub-freezing temperatures is expected early this week. From Saturday night, Dec. 30, 2017, through at least mid-week next week, temperatures will be at or below freezing across much of the area. (Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown)

 

Bitterly cold air with prolonged sub-freezing temperatures is expected early this week, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown.

From Saturday night, December 30, through at least mid-week this week, temperatures will be at or below freezing across much of the area, the National Weather Service said.

The forecast in Oak Ridge calls for a low of 18 degrees Fahrenheit on Saturday night, a high of 30 on Sunday, a low of 15 on Sunday night, a high of 25 on Monday, and a low of 9 on Monday night. The high on Tuesday is forecast at 29. [Read more…]

NWS: Colder than normal temps forecast, bitter cold expected later

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Bitterly cold air is on the way this weekend. Temperatures 10 to 20 degrees below normal and dangerously low wind chills are expected, especially across the higher elevations. Remember to dress warmly in layers, provide shelter for pets and animals, and take precautions around your home or business to avoid frozen pipes. (Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown)

Bitterly cold air is on the way this weekend, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown. Temperatures 10 to 20 degrees below normal and dangerously low wind chills are expected, especially across the higher elevations. Remember to dress warmly in layers, provide shelter for pets and animals, and take precautions around your home or business to avoid frozen pipes. (Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown)

 

High temperatures today will be about 10 degrees below normal, and bitterly cold air is on the way this weekend, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown.

Lows in the area around Clinton and Oak Ridge are forecast to be between about 16 and 18 degrees Fahrenheit today (Wednesday, December 27).

Highs are forecast between 34 and 36, with mostly sunny skies today and mostly clear skies tonight.

Temperatures are expected to remain cold this week, with some slight warming on Thursday and more Friday, with colder weather again on Saturday and Sunday and a slight chance of snow on Sunday. [Read more…]

Photo: Sunrise view from Appalachian Underwriters

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This picture was taken by Margie Crews from the ninth floor of the Appalachian Underwriters building on Saturday evening, Oct. 21, 2017.

This sunrise picture was taken by Margie Crews from the ninth floor of the Appalachian Underwriters building and sent to us on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017.