Electrical work across the county is coming to a close after severe thunderstorms impacted the area over the weekend, according to local utility systems.
The Elizabethton Electric System recently capped off work to individuals hampered by storm damage.
“We finished up repairs at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday,” Wes Pearson, service supervisor, said. “We’ve got just about everything taken care of.”
Elizabethton worked in conjunction with four contracted crews based out of Ohio and another crew used from the Bristol Utility System.
Pearson noted Thursday that the cost of repairs totaled to near $320,000.
“We appreciate all their work,” Pearson said of the workers. “Everybody did their part to make sure the lights came back on.”
With the Butler community receiving some of the hardest damage from Friday’s storms, 2,500 individuals in the Mountain Electric service area reported power outages. As of Thursday, the company noted that under 100 individuals remained without power.
“We’re currently wrapping up work,” said Joe Thacker, general manager of the Mountain Electric co-op. “Sorting through all the isolated areas, and the little things. We had 75 customers as of 6 a.m. this morning. But as the day went on, I would guess around 60 people were taken care of.”
Thacker added the work Thursday was focused at the Campbell Road, Smith Hollow and Moody Road locations.
One of the key items of damages included seven phase three power lines being damaged, Thacker said, with the majority of the lines coming from the Carter County area.
While the system wraps up work, Thacker added the company received assistance from other utility systems.
“We received help from Erwin Utilities Sunday,” Thacker said. “They finished up with their work quickly and provided assistance. We also had other contracted crews working over the past week. As of today, I’d say we still have around 60 guys out working.”
Thacker added prior to the Elizabethton Star’s press deadline that there was not a ballpark figure for repairs. The company was in the process of gathering the information for TEMA.
If any individuals are still dealing with power outages, they’re encouraged to contact Mountain Electric at 727-1800 or Elizabethton Electric at 542-1111.