Oak Ridge Today

Flooding, fallen trees, road closures reported in Anderson County during storms

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The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department had a busy weekend after the rain started on Friday, Chief Deputy Mark Lucas said.

Flooding occurred throughout the county, Lucas said. There were trees that had fallen on homes but no reports of injuries. High water forced the closure of several roads. Many of those were still closed Monday morning.

“The water is receding, but drivers are urged to continue to use caution,” Lucas said. “Due to all of the flooded roads, Anderson County Schools were closed today (Monday, April 24).”

Deputies responded to 25 traffic hazard reports from Friday through Sunday. These included fallen trees and other debris in the roadway. Mudslides were also reported on at least two roads, Lucas said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge received more than 6.3 inches of rain during storms, city says

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Fallen Tree House April 2017 Storms 1

Oak Ridge received more than 6.3 inches of rain during the storms this past weekend, officials said Monday, April 24, 2017. That amount of rain made the ground extremely soggy and caused large trees to start falling all across the area, the city said. Several homes and cars were damaged, and there were reports of power outages. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

 

Oak Ridge received more than 6.3 inches of rain during the storms this past weekend, officials said.

That amount of rain made the ground extremely soggy and caused large trees to start falling all across the area, the city said. Several homes and cars were damaged, and there were reports of power outages.

Power was nearly 100 percent restored, but the cleanup was still under way Monday afternoon. [Read more…]

City workers respond to fallen trees, downed power lines

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Oak Ridge crews work to clear downed tree and power lines on Westover Drive on Wednesday, March 1, 2017. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

Oak Ridge crews work to clear downed trees and power lines on Westover Drive on Wednesday, March 1, 2017. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

 

Oak Ridge crews worked to clear downed tree and power lines on Wednesday. There were reports of trees and power lines down in parts of Anderson County, including Oak Ridge, as severe thunderstorms moved through the area.

There were no reports of damaged homes in Oak Ridge due to the storms.

Here are a few photos courtesy of the City of Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Trees down, power outages, flooding reported in Oak Ridge, Anderson County

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Nebraska-Avenue-Tree-Down-Feb-24-2016

A tree was down on Nebraska Avenue on Wednesday morning, Feb. 24, 2016. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 1:15 p.m.

Officials reported that trees were down across Oak Ridge and Anderson County on Wednesday morning, there were several power outages in Oak Ridge, and flooding was reported at some spots in Anderson County.

The flooding, fallen trees, and power outages were reported after a round of storms came through Wednesday morning.

Crews from the city and county are responding. [Read more…]

Saturday storms knock down trees, damage property

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144 North Slope Lane

A house on North Slope Lane near Hidden Hills Drive received the most damage, authorities said. Hidden Hills Drive is off Hidden Valley Road, which runs between State Route 61 and Laurel Road northeast of Oak Ridge.

 

The storms that blew through on Saturday brought high winds and heavy rain to parts of East Tennessee. There were some trees and power lines down in Anderson County.

“The Claxton area, especially around West Wolf Valley Road, and near Laurel Road between Clinton and Oak Ridge were the hardest hit,” Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Mark Lucas said Saturday evening.

He said there was minor damage reported from trees or limbs on houses. One house on North Slope Lane near Hidden Valley Road received the most damage, Lucas said.

There were no reported injuries.

Most trees and power lines across roads were cleared by Saturday evening, Lucas said. [Read more…]

Small roof collapse temporarily closes The Other One, but food truck will offer limited menu outside

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The Other One Diner Deli and Dive

The Other One Diner Deli and Dive, a family-owned restaurant, is in Grove Center in Oak Ridge.

 

Note: This story was updated at 11:20 p.m.

Part of the roof collapsed into the kitchen at The Other One on Tuesday, and the restaurant is temporarily closed while repairs are made. But a food truck will offer a limited menu outside on Thursday.

The popular mom-and-pop burger and sandwich shop at Grove Center is owned and operated by Amanda Caldwell and Jimmy Long.

Early Wednesday afternoon, Caldwell said The Other One, which has been open for five years, could be closed for up to one week.

She said a section of the original roof estimated to be about two feet by three feet collapsed at about 5:50 p.m. Tuesday after a day of heavy rain and thunderstorms. No one was hurt, although two employees were in the kitchen at the time and the restaurant had to close, Caldwell said. [Read more…]

Clark Center Park temporarily closed as DOE assesses weather-related damage

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Clark Center Park Water View

A view of Melton Hill Lake near a boat ramp and between two picnic areas at Clark Center Park in south Oak Ridge.

 

Clark Center Park in south Oak Ridge is temporarily closed while federal officials assess any damage to trees caused by the recent ice and snow, and to give workers time to remove any potential risks, such as trees that are ready to fall.

The park, normally open all year, could be closed for another week or so, depending upon the weather, said John Shewairy, assistant manager for administration in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office.

“We have limited access to the park so we can assess and tend to any damage to trees caused by the ice and snow of the past couple weeks,” Shewairy said Monday. “Once we have taken care of any potential safety concerns, we’ll restore access to the property.” [Read more…]

Strong to severe storms, flooding possible today

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Strong to Severe Storms

 

Strong to severe storms and flooding are possible across the region as a band of showers and storms slowly moves east across the area, forecasters said.

A flood advisory is in effect in Oak Ridge and Clinton, among other areas, through 11:15 a.m., and a flood watch is in effect from noon to 11 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Morristown has also issued a wind advisory that applies to Oak Ridge and Clinton, among other areas. It’s in effect through 8 p.m.

The NWS said heavy rainfall of one to two inches can be expected across much of the area, and rainfall of up to three inches is possible in a few locations. The rain and storms are expected today over the southern Appalachians and eastern Tennessee Valley as a strong storm moves east from the Mississippi Valley, slowly pushing a cold front across the area. [Read more…]

Severe weather possible Tuesday evening

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Severe Weather Outlook

Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown.

 

A line of strong to severe thunderstorms will move across the Cumberland Plateau and into East Tennessee and southwest Virginia this evening, forecasters said Tuesday.

The biggest risk from the storms is damaging straight-line winds of up to 60 mph, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown.

“Locally heavy rainfall and frequent lightning will also be possible with the strongest activity,” the NWS said.

The Weather Service issued a significant weather advisory at 7:09 p.m. for Anderson and Union counties and southern Campbell, central Morgan, and southeastern Scott counties until 8 p.m. [Read more…]

Haslam announces federal aid for 18 counties

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Governor Bill Haslam

Bill Haslam

Counties receive disaster recovery funds for June flooding

NASHVILLE—Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam on Thursday announced President Obama has declared 18 counties as federal disaster areas as a result of severe weather on June 5-10. State and local governments and electrical utilities spent nearly $10 million in response to and recovery from the wind damage and flash-flooding impacts.

“This federal aid will help our communities in rebuilding and recovery,” Haslam said. “State and local teams worked quickly to survey damage in more than 35 counties to determine the impact of these storms, and we are grateful for this assistance.”

The counties that will have access to federal aid include Anderson, Bledsoe, Carroll, Decatur, Henry, Hickman, Houston, Lawrence, Lewis, Madison, Marion, Maury, McNairy, Moore, Perry, Roane, Sequatchie, and Tipton. They will have access to federal assistance that provides reimbursement for 75 percent of eligible costs. A presidential disaster declaration also includes FEMA’s hazard mitigation grant program on a statewide basis.

Three fatalities were attributed to the severe weather and flooding. Two deaths occurred in Lawrence County and another in Hickman County. [Read more…]

About 1,600 lost power in Sunday storms

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About 1,600 customers lost power during the two major bands of storms that ripped through Oak Ridge at around 8 p.m. and midnight Sunday night, Oak Ridge Electric Director Jack Suggs said.

The outages were concentrated around 15 distinct locations, and the east end of town was hit the hardest, Suggs said. The Oak Ridge Electric Department started working on repairs as soon as it could bring in people to help, and crews have been working continuously to restore power.

Suggs said most everyone had power restored by noon Monday. Others had had power restored earlier, some at midnight, more at 3 a.m., then still more by 4 a.m. The majority were back on by 7 a.m. Monday, and crews started “whittling away” at those who were left. [Read more…]

After Dark movie ‘The Goonies’ moved to Civic Center due to rain, storms

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The Goonies

Submitted

The location and time of the Oak Ridge After Dark event tonight has been changed due to rain and storms expected to remain in the region this evening. The event will now take place in the gymnasium of the Oak Ridge Civic Center, and the movie will start promptly at 7 p.m. No chairs can be brought into the facility, but blankets are allowed and the bleachers will also be available for seating.

“Although the weather poses a threat, we plan to keep the momentum of Oak Ridge After Dark going,” said Sam Jones, Oak Ridge After Dark coordinator. “The plan to host the event inside the Civic Center gym will ensure safety and comfort for all attendees. We hope a large crowd will come out to support the second installment of the series.”

The theme of tonight’s After Dark event is Pirate Night. Children are encouraged to dress as their favorite characters in conjunction with each theme. Themed characters will be on hand for photo opportunities. Visit the Historic Oak Ridge Facebook page or http://oakridgevisitor.com/2014/07/01/oak-ridge-after-dark/ for a complete list of scheduled films.

The After Dark series also includes a Comedy Night on Friday, August 8, followed by Hero Night on Friday, August 15. [Read more…]