A fierce line of storms whipped through Macon County on Saturday night, toppling trees and leaving thousands of residents without power.
The storm hit the county about 6 p.m. By 8 p.m., 2,095 Duke Energy customers were without power, according to Lisa Leatherman, Duke’s district manager.
“It was scattered throughout the county,” Leatherman said. “The highest impact zone was out in the Cartoogechaye community, where we had a tree fall and tear down lines and poles. That took longer to repair. We were fortunate that it had a fairly short life. Also, while the high temperatures that day contributed to the severity of the storm, it was less devastating for folks who had to go without power.”
Storms often lose energy as the pass over the mountains, but Saturday’s storm was different.
“We took a beating,” Leatherman said. “Sometimes the mountains will dissipate some of the energy of these storms, but Saturday’s storm was a squall line, coming in really hot with a lot of wind and rain.”
About 156 customers in the county were still without power on Monday. The last customer’s power was restored about 5:40 p.m. Monday, Leatherman said.
“The good part was that it was short-lived,” said Warren Cabe, director of Macon County Emergency Services. “And it was during the early evening hours when people were still awake so they could monitor the weather.”
There were numerous fallen trees and some scattered structural damage, Cabe said.
A large tree crashed into a home on Roller Mill Road, causing significant structural damage. Franklin Fire Department personnel helped the handicapped resident and her four dogs get out of the home.
A tree also fell against a home on Pressley Road. Damage to residence was minor, but the tree took down a power line and knocked out power.
Several vehicles were damaged when pieces from a nearby carport blew into the National Guard Armory parking lot on Industrial Park Road.
A tree fell and damaged a house on Jacobs Branch Road, and another tree fell onto a power line and into a residence on Northrup Drive.
No injuries were reported as a result of the storm.
June 9, 2026
