Benton County, Tenn.–The Tennessee River bridge in Benton County and I-40 reopened overnight and a catastrophe was averted when personnel from a Camden marina were able to stop a loose barge from hitting the bridge.
The dispatcher at the Benton County Sheriff’s Office said Norman’s Marine personnel were able to tie off the barge before it reached the bridge.
Straight line winds overturned approximately seven to nine semis on 1-40 in Benton and Humphreys Counties. Both sides of 1-40 were closed to traffic and the semis were put back on their wheels.
It was a rough night in our area, with high winds causing major damage over several counties, overturning vehicles, toppling trees onto homes and power lines. Several counties in our area experienced widespread power outages.
Some 4500 Meriweather Lewis Electric Cooperative members are still without power Sunday morning and it could be several days before the system is clear. MLEC worked into the night & hit the ground running Sunday morning focusing on main line repairs.
At the height of the storm Saturday night, 12,000 members in Houston and Humphreys Counties were without power. MLEC reported major damage to its equipment and said repairs will be a lengthy process.
Meanwhile, an Adamsville man was killed Saturday night when a tree fell on him as he tried to rescue a pet from the storm.
Photo by Peggy Peyton St. Peters.
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