Storm hits Lincoln County; power outages throughout
A storm moved through Lincoln County early Friday morning, bringing down trees throughout the county. Much of the county also suffered power outages.
Lincoln County Sheriff Steve Rushing said most of the property damage was inside the city limits and county workers are out working to remove limbs from roads.
Approximately 2,000 Magnolia Power members were without power at 8:45 a.m., according to association spokesperson Lucy Shell. Magnolia crews are working to restore power, but delays are being caused because of difficulties reaching damaged areas.
Brookhaven Police Chief Bobby Bell said there has been a lot of property damage but no injuries reported so far.
“That’s a good thing. We’re blessed,” he said. “We can replace material things, but not a life.” Bell said Entergy was on the scene to restore power.
Power lines were down all over the county and city, said civil defense director Clifford Galey. He estimated 10 to 20 homes have been damaged.
Shell said Jayess, Brookhaven and East Lincoln were hit hardest. Two power lines were broken at Lake Okhissa in Franklin County.
Entergy representatives were not available for comment Friday morning by press time. Their website said at 11 a.m. Friday morning approximately 5,458 customers had been affected in Lincoln County and the immediate surrounding areas. Lincoln County appears to have suffered the most damage from the storm.
One of the few stores open Friday morning was Janie’s Pastry Shop. Steve Reed, baker, said that it takes a lot more than this to close the bakery. He added that they were even open during hurricanes.
Piggly Wiggly was also open on Monticello Street using its emergency lights.
The Daily Leader’s electricity returned at 9:23 a.m., and the newspaper’s production and delivery were delayed about an hour and a half Friday.
News reporter Katie Williamson contributed to this report.