Volunteer Energy Crews Work Round The Clock Restoring Power to Meigs, McMinn and Rhea Counties

EAST TN, (WDEF)-The sound of chainsaws and falling trees as Volunteer Energy electric crews scoured Meigs, Rhea and McMinn counties restoring power Wednesday.

Robin England, Ten Mile TN Resident, "Cold, my house when I woke up it was 56 degrees, went out about 6 o’clock and then didn’t come on till yesterday evening."

Cheryl Powers, Ten Mile TN Resident, "No we weren’t smart enough to go get backup heat so we just stayed cold and bundled up in blankets."

Almost 700 homes in Rhea County were without power and more than 150 in Meigs.

Fallen trees littered deserted roads as heavy snow pummeled the rural communities.

In Decatur, Jeff Fuller owner of Uncle Gus’s BBQ also lost power.

He decided to move into his restaurant to keep serving hungry work crews round the clock.

"Small apartment that we take a break in occasionally, we don’t usually live that far from here, the ice was a concern so me and my wife packed a bag."

Thursday morning VEC expects a record breaking 33,500 megawatts will be needed to keep homes lit and heated.

VEC has the following advice to reduce power consumption Tonight and into Thursday afternoon.

 Lower thermostats, postpone dishwasher and dryer use and turn off non essential lights.