Winter Storm Brings Destruction to Wayne County, Brings People Together

Winter Storm Fern – an unusual name, indeed. The Weather Channel has the responsibility of naming storms; they go in alphabetical order, and it was the letter “F”’s turn. Not all storms are named, just the ones that will most likely cause an impact. Oh boy, did this one cause an impact! Fern traveled an icy path across the southeast portion of the United States, leaving disastrous damage in her wake. Right here in Wayne County, Tennessee, her impact was huge and is still being felt over a week later. It will undoubtedly be many more weeks, or even months, before all the damage is cleaned up.

TVEC customers began reporting power outages in the early morning hours of Sunday, January 25th, with almost all Wayne County customers being without electricity by Sunday afternoon. A large percentage of Wayne County's roads were made impassable due to ice-laden limbs, and entire trees, falling and blocking roadways.

The last time Wayne County saw ice damage on a similar scale was more than 30 years ago – in 1994, Middle Tennessee saw crippling damage from an ice storm, with the electrical grid taking a huge hit. At one point, 100,000 people in Middle Tennessee alone were without power. Those of us who remember that storm and lived through it have stories of families huddling around wood stoves for heat and cooking, and of bored children learning to entertain themselves like they did in the old days, before smart phones and social media. Unfortunately, a lot of things that took place during the 1994 ice storm have repeated in the last week.

“This storm has truly been a historic event for Wayne County,” said Wayne County Executive Jim Mangubat. “We are so thankful for other counties’ electrical crews and the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) for pitching in to help Wayne County. And most of all, words cannot express how thankful we are for Wayne County’s own Highway Department, TVEC, and volunteers who have worked day and night to clear roadways and restore electricity. We have the best of the best here, and we are so grateful for them.”

TVA has tapped into resources they rarely have to use while repairing power lines across the state, including right here in Wayne County. “Crews are navigating through fallen trees, deep snow, icy roads and frigid temperatures,” TVA spokesperson Scott Fiedler said. “We’re using not only drones, but helicopters because if we can’t reach it by ground, we’re flying people and equipment in to get those power lines back up.”

The Wayne County News spoke with Wayne County Highway Department Superintendent Chuck Moser on Friday. Chuck said he was “worn out, but so thankful” after days of dealing with the storm’s aftermath. He said that all county roads are passable; vehicles can get through, but there are still trees and debris on the sides of the roads that will be cleaned up moving forward. With help from the Tennessee Department of Forestry’s saw crews and dozer operators, along with many volunteers, county roads were cleared as quickly as possible so that people were not trapped in their homes with no way to navigate roads and get out.

Superintendent Moser went on to say how much he appreciates all who pitched in, including the churches, businesses, and organizations who have been coordinating resources for those who need food and other supplies, along with those who just need a safe place to get warm. Moser specifically named EMA Director Brian Smith, who he said has been invaluable for all he has done to make sure Wayne Countians are safe in the aftermath of this historic storm.

When asked how Winter Storm Fern ranks in the damage caused to Wayne County, Moser said that in his opinion, this is the worst storm he can remember since he began working for the Highway Department. “We’ve unfortunately had some tornadoes that devastated Wayne County over the years,” said Moser. “Tornadoes tore up more, but the damage was confined to a specific area. This ice storm is worse because it has devastated the whole entire county.”

Superintendent Moser explained that all the trees and debris cleared and removed will be taken to a site at the back of the Wayne County Industrial Park and eventually disposed of in a controlled burn. He expects that cleanup from the storm will take at least six more weeks. Highway Department crews will begin going back to their regular county road duties whenever the cleanup is complete. “The main thing I want to say is how thankful I am for all the help we have received during this storm,” Moser said. “Wayne Countians always come together during times like this, and I appreciate all who have helped, especially the 31 men in my own department. I want them to know how much they are truly appreciated.”

As of Friday, most of the county’s electricity had been restored. Only a few areas were still without power, including Firetower Road, Grassy Road, and Big Opossum Creek Road. TVEC crews were working around the clock last week to get power back for all Wayne Countians.

Resources are available for those in need. Listed below are just a few that we are aware of. Those who need help are advised to check social media for any new resources that become available.

• Wayne County Community Outreach – please send message on Facebook detailing what you need

• Wayne/Lawrence County Salvation Army – NJ Pope, 931-722-4422

• What’s Happening Wayne County, TN – check Facebook page, resources are being posted daily