At this hour, over 17,000 VEC customers in Cumberland County are without power. The number was originally at 33,000 when the power first went out just after 1 p.m. central time today.

UPDATE 3:45 p.m. – Volunteer Electric has confirmed that a transformer in the Crossville substation malfunctioned and went offline. Volunteer Electric is currently rerouting circuits to other supplies in an effort to restore power as soon as possible. Early estimates are that it will take between three to four hours for complete restoration. That will put the time of restoration to between 7 and 8:30 p.m. central time. Currently just over seventeen thousand customers remain without power. Please treat traffic lights that are not working as four-way stops.

Smaller power outages are being reported in at least 6 counties in the listening area, mainly from downed trees from winds gusting up to 35 miles per hour at times.

We just spoke to Sheriff Casey Cox and the trunk or treat at the sheriff’s department from 5 to 7 p.m. is still go. They are running on generator power.

Also the trunk or treat at Cumberland Mountain State Park is still go but officials there say they will call it early if power is not restored by nightfall.