Noon-time storm topples trees, leaves some without power on The Murfreesboro Post

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Noon-time storm topples trees, leaves some without power

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By: MICHELLE WILLARD and LISA MARCHESONI

Posted: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 2:47 pm

Just a few Murfreesboro residents were without power after a strong storm system blew through the area this afternoon, but it could’ve been much worse, a Murfreesboro Electric Department official said.

About 35 residents on West Street, off of Greenland Drive, were without power for a few hours today after the storm toppled trees and took down power lines.

“We really had very little problems compared to what we could’ve had thanks to our tree trimming program,” said Amy Byers, MED director of marketing.

“On days like today, I don’t even want to think,” she continued. “Limbs on power lines is what gets you.”

During the storm around 2,000 residents saw their lights dim in the Northfield Boulevard area, but it took MED little time to get those homes up and running again, Byers said.

Murfreesboro Police Maj. Clyde Adkison said the storm caused downed traffic lights and trees about noon today, snarling traffic already heavy because of a scheduled one-half day off for Rutherford County Schools’ students.

One of the most heavily congested areas occurred on South Church Street and Warrior Drive where Riverdale High School is located when the traffic signals and wires were down in the intersection, said Adkison.

“Dispatch said that was our worst intersection,” Adkison said.

Traffic lines and lines were down on Florence Road and Manson Pike, North Rutherford and Lascassas Pike and Haynes Drive and North Thompson Lane.

A gazebo and fence blocked the street at White Boulevard and Greenhill Street.

Traffic signals malfunctioned at Greenland Drive at Rutherford Boulevard, Clark and Memorial Boulevard, East Clark Boulevard and North Highland Avenue and East Northfield Boulevard and Pitts Lane.

Trees fell on Stones River Manor on Haynes Drive, Gentleman Jim’s tavern on East Main Street, West Street off Greenland Drive and on cars on Greenland Drive.

High water blocked South Maney Avenue and East Vine Street and debris blocked Sulphur Springs Road.

“The good news is it’s gone past us for now,” Adkison said. “Our patrol officers had a lot to contend with right before lunch and with the kids out of school. It was extremely hectic there for awhile but thank goodness it’s calmed down.”

The same storm system left more than 6,000 in Nashville without power. Trees were down across the midstate from the strong winds associated with the rain.

Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com.

Tagged under WEATHER

Member Opinions:

By: tealady on 2/11/09
way to be on top of things Murfreesboro!!! You guys don't get thanked often enough for the services you provide for us all.

By: barrettbear on 2/11/09
Yes the MPD did an outstanding job at the intersection of Thompson and Old Fort.

By: Farmall on 2/12/09
How about a picture, I would have loved to see one of the traffic lights on the ground.

By: barrettbear on 2/12/09
Well go stand on a corner of one those intersections the next time we have high winds and strong storms, you might get to see some of those lights on the ground. Oh, take a camera, pictures last longer.