Heavy storm causes flooding, downed power lines
By J.J. Kindred | (jj.kindred@thedailytimes.com)
Heavy storms came through Blount County and the
surrounding area Thursday afternoon, causing some minor flooding and downed power lines.
Areas such as West Millers Cover Road in Walland and North Wildwood Road in Maryville experienced flooding and some downed trees and debris, and there were reports of power lines down on both roads.
There were also reports of numerous lightning strikes in the area.
At the same time, a drainage system near a side parking lot at Foothills Plaza in Maryville was stopped up, causing flooding and stranding some vehicles parked in the lot.
“I was pulling in to park, and I already had my wheel turning before I realized (the lot) was flooded,” said Ben Ceverlin, who was visiting family in the area from Lansing, Mich. His 2001 Chevrolet Malibu would not start as a result.
Maryville police officers at the scene said they were not certain why the lot was flooded, and were waiting on Maryville Public Works to come and take care of the problem.
Meanwhile, thunderstorms are expected to continue in the area today, and will have moved through by Saturday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
“We’re expecting them for a majority of the day,” said Kate Guillet, a meteorology intern with the National Weather Service. “We had some reports of some trees down in and around the area and some minor flooding problems and that’s the extent of it.”
