Winter storm causes outages and problems for Dyersburg and Dyer County

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Monday night's ice storm, coupled with Tuesday night's wintry mix caused outages throughout Dyer County and surrounding areas.

Dyersburg was partially spared compared to other areas in the county.

"As far as the fire department goes, the city is in real good shape," said Dyersburg Fire Department Capt. Rusty Hilliard.

Dyersburg Electric System President Jimmy Williamson said they had scattered outages with 200 to 250 customers without power at the height of the storm. And all major issues had been taken care of by Wednesday afternoon. At approximately 3:45 p.m. Wednesday there were 20 services down.

For the past two days the county has been clearing the roads of snow, ice and debris. "It's still pretty bad with the downed trees and broke limbs everywhere and a lot of downed wires," said Dyer County Road Commissioner Jeff Jones. "It's going to be bad for the next couple of days. It's a continuous thing." Jones encourages residents to stay at home if they can. Jones said it is so bad his equipment has been getting stuck in the ice and snow.

As of Wednesday night, Gibson EMC had around 9,600 customer-owners without power. They started with 12,600 customers experiencing outages on Wednesday morning. Power has been restored to its customers in Gibson County and they have made progress in Trimble, Hornbeak, Samburg, Ridgley and the Pierce, South Fulton area. Crews are continuing to work around the clock and were expecting to have the downtown area of Tiptonville back in service by Wednesday night.

Forked Deer Electric customers are also experiencing outages in Dyer County. Forked Deer Electric could not be reached for comment for this story.

The American Red Cross has opened a temporary shelter at the Dyersburg First United Methodist Church, with the capability to accommodate approximately 200 people. They are serving three meals a day to the people staying in the shelter. On Wednesday night, they had approximately 22 people taking advantage of the services with more possibly on the way. "Once again the people of Dyersburg and Dyer County have pulled together to help people in need," said Director Lynn Fritchey. Sonic donated food to the Red Cross to help feed the people at the shelter Wednesday night.

Comments

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Dyersburg Electric and Gibson EMC are so good to keep everybody informed as to what's going on in their service areas. But - once again - Forked Deer cannot be reached for comment. It's the same each time there are weather related issues - it's waaaaaaay past time for Forked Deer to hire somebody that can manage to do something so simple as to make a mere statement to the press...

-- Posted by Susan Taylor on Thu, Jan 29, 2009, at 3:05 PM

Forked Deer Electric has some very dedicated people working for them who I know personally. But, unfortunately, I have to agree with S.T. They are lacking in leadership and it starts at the top. Brush it aside if you wish F.D.E. but it is time for a change!

-- Posted by southernborn on Fri, Jan 30, 2009, at 7:00 AM

I see all the electrical trucks parked in the walmart area and I think these mem should be commanded on the job they do in bad weather. Don't know where all of them are from. I think it would be good that their food and place to stay should be provided to them maybe they get it now I don't know. I appreciate them.

-- Posted by jbwill on Fri, Jan 30, 2009, at 9:30 PM

im a little late to make this comment,but im hopeing it will reach a few anyway.im married to a forked deer employee,but that hasnt anything to do with my comment.im gonna try to make people understand things.first thing is the comment about forked deer not making a statement.when they tried to reach forked deer they were dialing 901 instead of 731.lets see if the one trying to call admits to there mistake.next is when the crews are out working people ride the roads and stopping to ask the men questions about when there power will be restored.do you people not realize that when you do that it holds up the work.another thing.when theres a huge outage the crews are gonna get the main lines up first.there not gonna go from house to house and put up lines until the main line is up.think about it.if theres no main up.there want be power to your homes.this is a comment i get all the time,people think because im married to a f.d.e. employee that our house will be one of the first to regain power.WRONG!our road was the last to get reconnected with the ice storm.so people,try to be more understanding and respectable and think about the crews that are out in all kinds of weather conditions working to get your power back on.there's not a BIG switch that they can just go out and flp to return power.also,these men have to take a break to eat.they have to come home to sleep a few hours to,if they didnt just think of the danger they would be in out there working with NO rest.i do hope this comment has helped.also for the very rude people that may have called.please be a little more respectable,you would'nt want someone talking to you in such a maner.hope you all have a blessed day and have a better understanding of what goes on during a outage.

-- Posted by snooks on Sun, Feb 1, 2009, at 10:06 AM

LOL i guess my comment was took off lol

Went you tell the truth about somthing the news paper are some big shot want's it off before some one can read it lol

What worng is the truth.

If not why take it off

-- Posted by home on Fri, Feb 6, 2009, at 2:42 PM