The storm that moved through Macon County on Friday brought high winds, rain and some lightning. The wind, with gusts of more than 20 mph, toppled trees and downed power lines. The weather also made for hazardous driving conditions.
Between noon and 10 p.m. the Macon County 911 Center received 345 calls, compared to 152 calls during the same time period the previous day. 911 Communications Supervisor Todd Seagle said they often receive multiple calls in reference to one emergency situation. On Friday the 911 Center dispatched about 54 calls that appeared to be weather related only.
On Friday afternoon, a large tree on Hillcrest Avenue in Franklin fell with enough force to break through the asphalt on the road and puncture a water line. Town Manager Amie Owens said 10 homes were without water for about 2.5 hours.
“The water/sewer staff were able to valve off the line to keep the break isolated and minimally impact customers,” she said. The power and cable service in the area were also disrupted due to the fallen tree.
During the day town crews also responded to multiple reports of culverts not draining properly. “Most were clear, it was just the rate at which the water was falling and rushing in made them overflow. Crews did check all that were reported to be sure,” Owens said.
Duke Energy District Manager Lisa Leatherman said the strong winds, rain and saturated ground led to falling trees and limbs that impacted overhead powerlines and broke numerous poles.
Duke Energy serves 26,592 customers in Macon County, and at the peak 6,650 customers were without power Friday night. Southern Macon County had about 2,700 customers without power for about five hours Friday night due to a failed piece of equipment in a substation.
With that exception, Leatherman said the largest number of customers without power were in sections of Nantahala, Ellijay, Union, Rainbow Springs and Cowee communities.
Duke Energy posted on its website Friday that the high winds were making it difficult for them to raise the bucket trucks to work on lines. About 2,066 customers in the county were still without power on Saturday morning. Additional line crews and support personnel from upstate South Carolina arrived Saturday to assist with repairs.
Sunday morning there were 239 customers without power. Leatherman said all customers had power restored by 4 p.m.