March roared in like a lion last Friday, and power was out to a record number of homes after high winds took down multiple trees and power lines throughout Tishomingo County.
According to TCEPA, almost 8,000 power customers were affected Friday, the most since the 1994 ice storm. All service was restored by about 7 p.m. Saturday, said TCEPA General Manager Cody Durham.
A huge tree that fell across Quitman Street near Mineral Springs Park in Iuka around midday killed all the power in the main part of Iuka, including downtown, when it took out a couple of power poles. MDOT crews worked Tuesday morning to clear it up.
Charlotte Biggs McVay, who grew up in a house near the tree said she thought it was one of the oldest trees in town, as it was huge when she played under it as a child in the late 1950s.
Another tree fell on a house on the south end of Mineral Springs Park. Owner Brooke Nunley, who grew up in the house, said it was a total loss, but was glad her renter was away from home at the time and no one was hurt.
The metal roof was partially blown off the South Tishomingo County Fire Department building on Red Bud Road, and a house near there had damage from a tree falling on it, according to Fifth District Supervisor Greg Collier.
TCEPA rolled out a new feature on their website recently that shows power outage locations and the status of repairs, which may, unfortunately, come in handy in the coming months. Be sure to check it out at www.TCEPA.com.