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HomeNewsCDE Lightband, Clarksville Street Department Crews work to restore power, clear streets

CDE Lightband, Clarksville Street Department Crews work to restore power, clear streets

City of ClarksvilleClarksville, TN – CDE Lightband and the Clarksville Street Department crews remained busy Sunday restoring power and clearing streets of trees and other debris strewn by a powerful storm that hit the area Saturday afternoon.

“Our departments are working around-the-clock to make repairs to the power system and get the streets back in shape,” Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts said Sunday.

CDE Lightband crews continue to work on restoring power to those without in Clarksville.
CDE Lightband crews continue to work on restoring power to those without in Clarksville.

“I’m proud of all our City workers who are doing their best to get things back to normal. I’m also proud of the churches and organizations who have stepped up to help, and the countless instances of neighbors helping neighbors. Together, we’ll get these challenges caused by this natural disaster behind us,” stated Mayor Pitts.

CDE reported at 3:00pm Sunday that 19,000 customers were still without power, but noted that crews were working non-stop to shore up or replace damaged poles and systems. Crews from utilities in Murfreesboro, Lenoir City, Gallatin and Tullahoma in Tennessee, and from Huntsville, AL, also have rushed to Clarksville to help battle the damage.

Brian Taylor, CDE General Manager, said the storm that came through Clarksville on Saturday created major damages, initially leaving 25 circuits open and 32,228 customers without power.

More than 30 downed or broken poles were in need of repair and countless downed trees and limbs made access to repair areas difficult.

CDE advised that some customers may be without power through Tuesday because of the extent of damages to its power system.

“It’s important to understand that the system sustained major damages, taking on 40 mph winds with gusts of  60-75 mph,” Taylor said. “CDE’s power restoration process begins with accessing damages at the substations, and getting all circuits operational. Then the focus turns to the distribution system, or primary lines. From there, we examine and repair the tap lines that feed all the neighborhoods.”

Clarksville Street Department started working Saturday and overnight into Sunday to clear debris from roadways.

Sunday afternoon Street Department officials were still warning motorists to be cautious at traffic signals because some remained inoperable because of power outages. All drivers are advised that vehicles should come to a complete stop before proceeding through a dark traffic signal.

The department also warned motorists that Madison Street was reduced to one lane in each direction between Pageant Lane and Tenth Street so that new electric cables can be installed over the entire length of the three lane section of Madison Street.

 

 

CDE Lightband offers these tips for dealing with the outage:

  • Treat every downlined like it’s hot, or energized, and stay clear.
  • Report outages online at www.cdelightband.com; by phone at 931.648.8151; or text CDE to 85700.
  • Report sparks or arcing immediately by calling 9-1-1.

CDE Lightband Power Restoration Process

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