Storm rages through tri-state area

    The tri-state area was hit with a massive storm Saturday that blocked roads with fallen trees and power lines, creating power outages for 14,000 Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corp. members in five counties.
    Trees and power lines blocked traffic on Junaluska Road, Lower Vengeance Creek and Vengeance Creek roads, Hiwassee Dam Access Road, the westbound lanes of U.S. 64 at Ranger Elementary/Middle School, Joe Brown Highway, N.C. 141 and Anderson Road, according to reports. Cherokee County E-911 Communications contacted the appropriate agencies to clear the obstructions.
    There was only one traffic accident during the storm, according to Theresa Creasman, E-911 Communications director.
    Of the 14,000 power outages for Blue Ridge Mountain EMC members, about 7,000 were in Cherokee County, said Kelly Crawford, manager of media and communications. Most of the power outages were caused by fallen trees on power lines and broken power poles.
    “The severe weather we experienced on Saturday was a surprise,” Crawford said. “We saw the weather predictions, but until a storm hits we never know how it will impact our power grid.”
    Crawford said the last big storm to come through the area was Winter Storm Benji in 2017, which caused 29,000 outages.
    Crews from five nearby electric providers helped Blue Ridge Mountain EMC with restoration efforts. Murphy Electric Power Board, which only had a few outages of their own to contend with, assisted in both Cherokee and Clay counties.
    Power restoration was delayed Monday morning by another rain shower. In addition, heavy equipment being operated near one of Blue Ridge Mountains EMC’s three-phase poles broke the pole, causing more outages in Brasstown, Pine Log, Young Harris and surrounding areas. As of mid-day Monday, there were still 80 customers in Cherokee County without power, with a majority of those customers living north of Beaverdam Road.
    Blue Ridge Mountain EMC warned customers Monday morning that more outages could occur since the ground is saturated and could cause more trees to fall. There was also more rain in the forecast through today.
    Repairs on the Nantahala Gorge did not appear to be affected by the storm, and the road opened to one lane of traffic with a signal by early Monday morning. David Uchiyama, communications director for the N.C. Department of Transportation in the western mountains, said engineers were expected to re-evaluate the area again this week and determine what the next steps were.