Heavy storms last night did more than put a damper on the Bessie Smith strut.
Eight houses in East Ridge suffered heavy damage, three of which were destroyed. East Ridge Fire Chief Mike Williams said 23 people were displaced as a result, and the Red Cross and the Salvation Army were contacted to provide assistance. Williams said those displaced have made arrangements to stay with family members and friends for the time being.
Williams said the East Ridge Fire Department also responded to 35-40 downed powerline calls and four structure fires, which he described as “mild, with minor damage.” Williams said three out of the four fires were storm-related. Williams said firefighters also executed three rescues from homes, including two pets. He said no injuries were reported.
Williams said fire department crews were out today conducting damage assessments with the help of the Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency.
Lee Norris, Administrator for the Department of Public Works, said public works crews responded to 40 downed tree calls Monday night. Norris said all the trees were cut and moved off the road by 2 a.m. this morning, and he said crews were out this morning removing the cleared trees.
Many electric customers in the Chattanooga area were without power Monday night. According to EPB’s outage map this morning, a minimum of 700 homes were without power.
According to reports from other news outlets, a three-year-old girl in Loudon County was killed when a tree fell on a mobile home her family was staying in.