Storms Roll Through; Hundreds Without Power

The storms that rolled through last night have led to many power outages around the area. As of 5:15 this morning, Newport Utilities is reporting just over 400 customers still without power this morning. Nearly half of the outages are in the Parrottsville area. There are scattered power outages in Sevier County, the majority of those in the Pittman Center area. Appalachian Electric, which serves most of Jefferson County reports just over 100 outages. The majority of those being east of Dandridge.
Before the storms last night dropped heavy rainfall, late Wednesday morning strong storms rolled through doing a lot of damage in Grainger and Hamblen Counties. Among the damage in Hamblen County was the Russellville Intermediate Elementary School. Strong winds damaged the roof and sent rain into the school resulting in flooded classrooms. Students were bussed over to Russellville Primary School where they were picked up by their parents. The National Weather Service though says this was not a tornado. Instead the damage was the result of a downburst centered near East Andrew Johnson Highway, Bethesda Road and Old Kentucky Road. That resulted in 80-90 mph winds. The Morristown Memorial Gardens Mausoleum also sustained roof damage from those winds.
The storms caused school districts to open late which includes Cocke County and Newport Grammar School opening one hour late.