FREE CONTENT — Monday storm clobbers Clara

By Paul Keane

The Wayne County News

Numerous trees blocked roadways and driveways while also cutting power 
off to many customers as a sudden storm clobbered Clara Monday evening.

Before 5 p.m. Monday, reports started flooding into first responders 
about a storm knocking down trees and downing power lines in and around 
Clara School. Two large trees were broken from the base and felled on 
the campus of the school, and numerous power lines were downed.

In addition, limbs and tin were scattered around the back of the school.

According to Emergency Management Director Angela Atchison, preliminary 
reports were that straight line winds and a potential downburst did the 
damage.

A portion of Highway 63 was blocked and fully closed north of the 
school, with emergency personnel diverting traffic onto Big Creek Road 
down to the Buckatunna-Chicora-Clara Road.

The storm was relatively short but did inflict ample damage.

At one time, nearly 750 Dixie Electric customers were reported to be 
without power. Crews were on the scene throughout the area working to 
restore power to those customers.

Damage assessments were also being conducted after roadways were 
cleared.