Significant Icing Affects Southern Cumberland County

As the Cumberland Plateau gets a short break from freezing temperatures, VEC crews are working urgently to restore power to hard hit regions in southern Cumberland, Rhea and Roane counties. Rain is expected to taper off this afternoon when temperatures will begin a plunge into the teens overnight. The areas of Highway 127 and Highway 68, south of the Homesteads, and areas along Highway 70 in Crab Orchard, have had the highest number of outages. Motorists should be on the lookout for debris or fallen trees in the roadway. There are several reports of objects in the roadway along Highway 70 East and both lanes of Interstate 40 at Crab Orchard and eastward. If you come upon any downed power lines, treat them as live, stay away and contact Volunteer Energy Cooperative.