Overton County is experiencing downed limbs, power lines and outages on a countywide level.
Sheriff John Garrett said this started occurring at about 2:00 PM and expects more downed lines and trees as rain continues. Garrett said roads are wet for the most part right now. but
However, He said he expects problems as temperatures drop overnight and into tomorrow.
“We want everybody to stay home where they can stay safe,” Garrett said. “But if they do have to get out for whatever reason, plan ahead. Leave early and make sure someone knows what route you’re taking. Put an extra blanket or two in the car, maybe some food or drink that way if something happens and you do get stranded.”
Garrett said that residents staying off the roadways will assist emergency personnel.
“The more people we have out, the more dangerous situations that are going to occur,” Garrett said. “For people out on the roadway, for law enforcement, emergency personnel, rescue trying to get there and help those that are stranded.”
He said the areas of Rickman, Monroe, Hilham, Crawford and Hanging Limb are seeing heavy debris in the roadways.
“There’s not one particular area that I could say, avoid this area and you’ll be fine,” Garrett said. “In five minutes there could be another tree limb or a tree top down in the roadway.”
Garrett said anyone who has to travel in these conditions needs to leave with a fully charged cellphone. He also recommends maintaining plenty of gas in vehicles during these conditions.
