A line of severe thunderstorms rolled into the listening area last night (Saturday, May 20, 2017) around 9 pm central time and when it left the area, many parts of Roane County looked like a war zone. The National Weather Service put out a special weather advisory for Roane County minutes before the storm entered the county but no severe thunderstorm warning was ever issued. The storm grew stronger as it came into Roane County bringing high winds, frequent lightning and heavy rainfall. Numerous reports of damage came in not only to Roane County dispatch but to Volunteer Electric and Harriman Utility. Power crews started to work to restore electricity even before the storm left but were hampered by downed lines and trees over many roadways too numerous to mention. As of 7 a.m. eastern this morning, power was still off to 850 customers in Roane County and 205 in Meigs County. Trees down were also reported in Meigs, Rhea, Morgan and Loudon counties.

PHOTO: This radar shot shows the storm entering Roane County last night. The storm grew stronger as it went through the county.