Major storm damage reported throughout County
Published 6:44 pm Friday, July 8, 2016
A strong storm moved through the area this evening and is still affecting large portions of Elizabethton and Carter County. Many agencies have reported lots of fallen trees and downed power and phone lines. Several roads are currently either partially or completely blocked.
Below is a partial list of the damage being reported through the 911 Communications Center:
• A propane tank has been damaged near Hampton Auto Parts and is venting gas and possibly on fire. Emergency crews are blocking the area off and asking for fire department to respond for fire suppression.
• Highway 91 at Creeker’s Restaurant (Hunter) – a tree has fallen on a vehicle on the roadway and there are reports of injuries. Officers on scene said one whole side of the highway is blocked off.
• Highway 91 at Hunter First Baptist Church (Hunter)- crews are working an accident with injuries and power lines are downed across all five lanes of the highway.
• Highway 321 at Watauga Point – officers reporting a large tree has fallen across the roadway and completely blocked it. An Constable on scene is now reporting a vehicle was hit by the falling tree but he is unable to get to the vehicle to see if anyone is still inside the car or injured.
• Highway 321 at Hampton Auto Parts – reports of tree limbs and part of a roof in the roadway
• Gap Creek Road – reports of a tree falling on a home
• 5600 Block of Highway 19E in Roan Mountain – a tree has fallen on a home and an elderly resident may be trapped inside.
• Toll Branch Road (Milligan) – a tree has fallen and the roadway is completely blocked.
• Watauga Road (Watauga) – a vehicle has become trapped on the roadway after a tree fell in front of the car and then another fell behind it.
• 100 block of Daniel Lane (East Side) – a tree has fallen on a house
• Rittertown Road in Hampton- reports of a structure fire.
• Liberty Hollow Road (in Stoney Creek) near entrance to Bob’s Hollow – power lines down and across the roadway.
• Judge Ben Allen Road (in Hunter) – reports of power lines down across the road and live wires down across a house.
• F Street in Elizabethton – reports of a tree down on a house.
• 300 Block of Milligan Highway – tree down blocking roadway
• Elizabethton Airport – reports of damage to one of the hanger buildings
• Carter County Rescue Squad’s Technical Rescue Team is on a rescue mission and putting boats into Watauga Lake.
• Carter County Rescue Squad has called for the Carter County Sheriff’s Office and the County Coroner to meet with them regarding the operation on Watauga Lake.
• Emergency workers are asking all motorists to avoid G Street east of the intersection with Bemberg Drive as well as all of the side streets through that area due to downed trees and power lines as crews work to clear the areas out.
• Highway 321 at Little Milligan Elementary – tree fell on a vehicle.
• Minton Hollow – tree down across power lines and blocking roadway.
• Little Milligan Elementary – reports of possible roof damage to the school.
We will update this list as more information becomes available.