THREE HUNDRED STILL WITHOUT POWER IN CALHOUN - After Affects Of Major Wind Storm

(02/14/2009)

Repair trucks still in county getting electric back on

By Bob Weaver

It was a major wind storm that hit Calhoun and the area Wednesday night, doing considerable property damage and knocking down thousands of trees.

The winds likely hit over 70 mph, with pine trees taking a big hit, concluding that if leaves had been on trees, the extent of the damage would have been horrendous.

Weather watchers are saying it was the worst wind storm to hit the state in 15 years, while other locals say the storm tops records going back many years.

Allegheny Energy is reporting the largest number of remaining outages in Calhoun at 8 p.m. Friday - 301, or 6% of 4,662 customers.

Workers, many of which are from out of state, told local residents, repair crews have been in short supply.

Regional Residents Without Power (Friday Night)

Ritchie - 292

Wirt - 244

Braxton - 218

Clay - 190

Roane - 77

The power company is saying it may be Sunday night before power is returned to all of the region.