With rain comes damage – Fallen trees, lost power accompany inch of accumulation in some areas

The August drought was broken with a bang Friday night as prayers for rain on the 101-degree day were answered just after sundown with over 1 inch of accumulation reported in some parts of the county.

However, with the rain came damaging winds which toppled trees from Morrison to McMinnville as thunderstorm microbursts up to 70 mph left tornado-like destruction in some neighborhoods, with residents awakening to downed trees and broken limbs.

The same storm also sent football fans running for cover at Nunley Stadium as streak lightning forced two delays in the Pioneers’ season-opening win against DeKalb County.

According to rainfall reports, the heaviest rain came in the Shellsford area with 1.25 inches. West Warren Utility District in Morrison recorded 1 inch, the same total recorded in Bethany and Centertown.

In McMinnville, where official readings are kept, only .35 of an inch was recorded. However, even that small total dwarfs the .08 recorded during the rest of August.

Friday’s temperature peaked at 101 degrees, although it was not the hottest day of the year in McMinnville as Aug. 16 holds that distinction with a high of 103. Warren County’s high temperatures have been slightly lower than most other places in the Midstate due to its proximity to the Cumberland Plateau.

As for damage left behind by the storm, most consisted of downed trees and limbs, some of which landed on utility wires leaving some Caney Fork Electric customers in the dark for short periods. Over 100 emergency calls were made to Caney Fork for service after the storm Friday night.

Meanwhile, utility crews were called to the C Rody Road area to repair a pole damaged by a falling tree.

Contributing to much of damage was the recent drought which weakened root systems on some trees, leaving them vulnerable to the high winds brought by Friday’s storm.