Oak Ridge Today

Tornado watch through early Wednesday

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Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown

A tornado watch is in effect in the area through early Wednesday, and strong to severe thunderstorms are possible, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown.

The NWS Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, said a severe weather outbreak is possible through Tuesday evening over the Ohio Valley, with the broader severe weather risk including parts of the Southeast.

“Strong and potentially long-track tornadoes are possible from Indiana and Ohio southward into the Mid South,” the Storm Prediction Center said. “A threat for strong tornadoes may focus this evening into tonight across parts of Alabama and Georgia.”

The region’s tornado watch is in effect until 2 a.m. Wednesday, and it includes Anderson, Campbell, Knox, Loudon, Morgan, Roane, Scott, and Union counties, among others. Oak Ridge is in Anderson and Roane counties.

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Heat wave forecast again this week

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Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown

Another heat wave is expected to build in the region this week, forecasters said.

Scattered showers and storms were expected early this week, and the heat wave is forecast to build into the Tennessee Valley and southern Appalachians by mid-week, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown.

Above-normal temperatures can be expected from Wednesday to Friday, with temperatures climbing into the middle 90s or possibly upper 90s across parts of the Tennessee Valley, the NWS said.

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Strong winds knock down about two dozen trees near Norris

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Norris-Trees-3-Feb-25-2016

Strong winds knocked down a few dozen trees in a small area south of Norris Dam on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

NORRIS—Strong winds knocked down a few dozen trees in a small area south of Norris Dam during the storms on Wednesday.

Meteorologist Glenn Carrin of the National Weather Service in Morristown said the vast majority of trees were down in the forecast area due to strong winds on a windy day. There was a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms, he said, and very tight pressure gradients with winds of 25 to 30 mph, and gusts over 40 mph.

The strong southwest winds could be stronger at higher elevations, Carrin 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…]

Clinton fire truck damaged by manhole cover

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Clinton Fire Department Patch

Information from WYSH Radio

Tuesday’s strong thunderstorms caused only a few problems inside Clinton, the biggest of which was a water main break that contributed to damaging a city fire truck.

Because of the water main break, likely caused in part by the runoff from Tuesday’s heavy rainfall, a manhole cover came up under the railroad trestle on Main Street and ruptured the fuel tank of a Clinton Fire Department truck on its way to a call.

The truck was able to make it back to the downtown fire hall, and it was towed from there for repairs. No injuries were reported on the truck.

Clinton Utilities Board responded to the water main break, and the utility’s insurance is expected to pay for the damage to the fire truck.

The only other damage inside the city was a downed tree on North Main Street that crews had cleared before 5 a.m. Several trees were reported down in the county, but they were also cleared overnight.

Updated: Severe thunderstorm, flash flood watches in effect

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Severe Weather Outlook July 14, 2015

Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown

 

Note: This story was last updated at 3:43 p.m.

There is a higher risk of severe thunderstorms across the region today (Tuesday, July 14), forecasters said.

The storms could bring widespread damaging winds and very large hail, and isolated tornadoes are possible, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown.

Here are the latest updates (as of 3:43 p.m. Tuesday) from the National Weather Service:

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NWS: Showers, thunderstorms this afternoon, evening

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Showers and Thunderstorms

Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown

Showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and evening could lead to locally heavy rainfall and minor flooding, forecasters said.

Lightning and gusty winds are also possible, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown.

There is a 70 percent chance of thunderstorms this afternoon and tonight near Oak Ridge, with a high of 83, the NWS said.

There is a 60 percent chance of showers on Friday, with a high of 81.

The greatest chance of precipitation in the area today is late this afternoon through midnight, forecasters said.

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…]

Tornado watch, severe storms possible Sunday evening

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National Weather Service Severe Weather Threat

Image courtesy of National Weather Service in Morristown.

Note: This story was updated at 6:55 p.m. with a new tornado warning.

A tornado watch is in effect for the northern half of East Tennessee—including Anderson, Knox, and Roane counties—through 8 p.m., and there is a chance of severe thunderstorms near Oak Ridge through midnight, the National Weather Service said.

Update: A tornado warning was issued at 6:26 p.m. for southern Campbell County, Scott County, and northwestern Anderson County. It’s in effect through 7:15 p.m., and it applies to Lake City and Rosedale in Anderson County, as well as LaFollette, Caryville, and Jacksboro in Campbell County, and Huntsville and Oneida in Scott County. (The tornado warning has since been extended to 7:45 p.m.)

Radar showed a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado. The dangerous storm was located over Helenwood, about eight miles south of Oneida, and moving southeast at 35 mph, the NWS said.

People in the affected areas should take cover now, moving to a basement or interior room on the lowest floor of sturdy building. Windows should be avoided. If in a mobile home or outdoors, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. [Read more…]

Forecast: Severe thunderstorms, heavy rain; tornado, flood watches issued

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NWS Severe Thunderstorms, Rain, Wind

Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown.

 

Severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, and flooding are possible in the region starting Monday evening and continuing through Tuesday night, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown.

Isolated tornadoes are possible, mainly across the Cumberland Plateau and southern half of the Tennessee Valley, the Weather Service said. A tornado watch remains in effect until 8 p.m. Monday for southwestern Virginia and East Tennessee. The watch includes Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Knox, Loudon, Morgan, Roane, and Scott counties, among others.

The flood watch is in effect from 8 p.m. today until 8 a.m. Tuesday.

The National Weather Service said its main concerns are the isolated tornadoes, widespread damaging winds that could cause power outages due to fallen trees and power lines, and heavy rainfall producing flash flooding. Large hail is also possible.

The forecast near Oak Ridge calls for a 60 percent chance of heavy rain this afternoon, with a 100 percent chance of severe thunderstorms tonight. [Read more…]

Heavy rains continue, flood watch in effect through Sunday evening

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East Tennessee Flood Watch

A flood watch remains in effect in East Tennessee through Sunday evening, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown. (Image courtesy NWS/Morristown)

Heavy rains have continued through this weekend, and a flood watch remains in effect for much of East Tennessee through Sunday evening.

The National Weather Service in Morristown said an additional one to two inches of rain is possible through 8 p.m. Sunday.

The Weather Service has issued a urban and small stream flood advisory through 10:30 a.m. in Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Knox, Loudon, Roane, Scott, and Union counties. Local law enforcement personnel have reported minor flooding across low-lying areas and some county roadways, and some small streams are “bank full,” forecasters said.

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NWS forecasts wet holiday week, flood watch in effect

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National Weather Service Holiday Week

The National Weather Service is forecasting a wet holiday week, and a flood watch is in effect through 8 p.m. Friday. (Image courtesy NWS/Morristown)

The National Weather Service in Morristown in forecasting a wet holiday week, and a flood watch remains in effect in East Tennessee from 8 p.m. today to 8 p.m. Friday.

Between two to five inches of rain is expected, with some local levels exceeding that, the Weather Service said.

The Weather Service is forecasting heavy rain tonight and Thursday, with thunderstorms or a chance of thunderstorms continuing through Sunday. The heavy rain could start tapering off late Friday. [Read more…]