High winds down trees and power lines, close US 25W
The springtime thunderstorms and heavy rain that rolled through the area early Monday produced downed trees and power lines in their aftermath, resulting in hours long road closures in some areas.
At 5:15 p.m. on Monday, May 1, Mark Lucas, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy, emailed a media release apprising the public that the section of Clinton Highway (US 25W) in South Clinton between Foust Carney Road and East Wolf Valley Road was closed due to fallen trees and power lines.
For 10 hours, northbound and southbound lanes were completely blocked.
ACSD deputies and the Tennessee Highway Patrol were on scene with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) to assist in diverting traffic so the Clinton Utilities Board could complete road repairs.
Lucas advised all motorists to avoid the area.
At around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, Lucas sent another media release, informing the public that CUB had completed their repairs on Clinton Highway.
In the second release he described the extent of the damage: “I believe four large power poles had to be replaced with one other damaged, along with the power lines on all five. Comcast has now started repairing their lines. They estimate two to three more hours before the highway can be reopened.”
Clinton Highway reopened for all northbound lanes and one southbound lane at around 3:45 a.m, and all lanes were open by 6 a.m., reported Lucas in a follow-up email at 8:45 a.m.
“The Clinton Utilities Board did an outstanding job of replacing four large power poles, repairing a fifth, and reinstalling all the lines as quickly as they did, considering all the damage. Comcast couldn’t start their repairs until CUB was completely finished…Our thanks to THP and TDOT for their assistance. TDOT set up signs and cones to divert the traffic, which was most helpful,” he said.