The
City of Alcoa would like to thank all of its electric and water utility
customers for their patience and understanding from the service outages that
resulted from Saturday night’s storm.
Significant
damage was sustained throughout the Alcoa electric system with every substation
suffering major outages and miles of lines requiring extensive repairs
throughout the county. Not only did the
electric system undergo substantial loss but many Alcoa residents found
themselves without water and sewer service as uprooted trees tore through
underground water and sewer lines along with ripping up sidewalks.
We
also want to acknowledge the sense of community and random acts of kindness
that were witnessed. Neighbors helped neighbors with the cleanup and provided
meals and shelter to those in need. Various residents and community groups
provided food and beverages for both the workers in the field and behind the
desks while Alcoa Elementary School opened its doors to provide meals to
workers and those whose homes were damaged.
At the
peak of the event, over 10,000 customers were left without power caused by
dozens of downed trees left in the wake of the storm. The City expresses its
deepest appreciation for the contractors that came to our aid. Wolf Tree
Experts and Asplundh Tree Service, whose crews had to first remove trees and
dangling limbs before electric repairs could begin, worked tirelessly in
dangerous conditions around the clock clearing the way for the linemen. Crews
provided by electric contractors Service Electric Co., Danny Davis Electric, BESCO and
Clinton Utilities Board, worked alongside the Alcoa crews replacing broken
poles and stringing lines. We also appreciate the coordination of emergency
agencies by the Blount County Emergency Management Agency.
Lastly,
we want to thank all of the dedicated City of Alcoa employees, both those at a
desk and those in the field, who worked tirelessly around the clock through the
holiday weekend and into the week. Many who also suffered property damage
themselves yet worked for the good of the community to get the job done. We can
be especially proud of the dedication exhibited by our electric linemen, water
and sewer employees, sanitation employees who had the goal of restoring
services as quickly and safely as possible. Also helping to carry the load were
the employees of the police, fire, finance, and human resource departments –
every department in the City worked to get power restored. To have accomplished
restoration to over 10,000 in a little over 4 days, with the conditions that
existed, was truly a gargantuan feat.
Just
because the storm has passed doesn’t mean the event has ended. Several weeks of
cleanup and repairs to the City infrastructure and residents property lie
ahead. Please join us in praying for the families who have suffered damage to
or the loss of their homes and property as we all move forward in the recovery
process.
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