Athens Utilities Board multiple lines down causing many to lose power

ATHENS, Tenn. (WDEF)- Athens Utilities Board tweeted Saturday that multiple lines are down causing many to lose power.

One customer was pleading for power to be restored before halftime of the Tennessee Vols game.

BEFORE HALFTIME STARTS PLEASEEEE.

— VolunteerNation (@BraveHawksFalcs) September 1, 2018

One pole is down on HWY 39. Power officials tweeted that this happened after extreme winds and lightning moved through the area.

They say engineers, linemen, and dispatch are at work to fix the issues.

Crews are working several different sites at this moment.

Below is a picture of a “burnt pole top pin and insulator.” This is one of the damaged items found after lightning activity.

Some photos of the mess in the field pic.twitter.com/VeDjvkO1m6

— AUB (@AthensAUB) September 1, 2018