The Greeneville Energy Authority is working to find new ways to route power to those who are still in the dark.
GEA President and CEO Dwayne Wells said that several main service lines and poles spanning the Nolichuckey River were destroyed and are still inaccessible due to the closed and washed out bridges. However, Wells said that crews were working on ways to reroute power from other directions and substations to get power back to customers.
Over 8,800 customers were without power at the peak of the storm when winds blew down trees and limbs, but the most devastating effects came with the rushing waters of the river. And with all bridges being closed until Saturday night, there was no access to thousands of customers.
Once the bridges were opened, GEA quickly restored power to many homes. As of this morning around 1,400 were without power, with the areas along the river accounting for the largest portion of those.
Wells asked customers to try to conserve power for the time being. The rerouting of power is utilizing some substations near their capacity.
