A Tornado Warning was issued by the National Weather Service at 5:39 a.m., and ended at 6:30 a.m. for Bradley and neighboring counties. That was the second storm of the day. Another moved into the area after 2 a.m., knocking out power in the areas of Durkee Road, North Lee Highway and the Tasso community and Paul Huff Parkway.
The Cleveland Daily Banner was also without power which resulted in a later press run. Widespread power outages also knocked out traffic control signals in the city along Keith and 25th streets, Peerless Road and other areas.
Cleveland Utilities’ Dennis Daniel reported the East Cleveland Substation experienced a TVA malfunction which affected 40 percent of the system. That occurred at 3 a.m.
Varnell, the Blue Springs and Stephens Road areas also were affected by outages, according to Daniel.
A tree reportedly fell on a home located on Old Parksville Road and another at 4th Street, according to Matthew Cason, administrative officer for Bradley County Emergency Management Agency.
“There were numerous reports of fallen trees in the areas of Blackburn Road, Black Fox area, Wildwood Lake, Dry Valley Road and Gaut Street,” said Cason.
Power was also reportedly out to Volunteer Energy Cooperative customers.
According to VEC, “At the peak of the storms, approximately 6,500 VEC customers were without power.”
VEC reported power had been restored to 6,200 of those customers by 8:45 a.m. today.
“Hardest hit in the VEC area were Bradley and Polk counties. Scattered outages were also reported in Crossville, Jamestown and McMinn County,” according to VEC.
Reports of up to 60 mph winds in some areas caused concern. At the Bradley County 911 Communications Center and EMA Emergency Operations Center, only 15 mph winds were reported.
Tennessee Emergency Management Agency reported no fatalities or injuries statewide, according to the Associated Press.
A cold front and upper level disturbance which pushed its way into the southern portion of the U.S. is to blame for the storms.
Bradley County’s EOC reported .21 inches of rainfall but a National Weather Service advisory warns of possible flooding later as storms are expected to continue to develop as the day progresses.
“A few isolated storms may become strong to severe,” according to NWS forecasters.
“All watches and warnings have expired for our area at this time, with the exception of a Flood Advisory. Rainfall of 1 to 1.5 inches fell across Bradley County overnight with another inch possible before this storm system leaves our area later on today; however, we have received no reports of flooding at this time,” said Cason.
