By: Mollie Johnson, Tessa Wilke and Remy Clark
Half of the Milligan University campus and surrounding areas lost electrical power early Friday afternoon when a tree fell across a power line on Milligan Highway.
Lights went out on campus around 1:10 p.m., affecting Derthick, Paxson and the science building. Power returned to the campus after about 40 minutes, but it took two to three hours to restore power to other customers near Milligan Highway.
The tree fell in front of a house in the 1300 section of Milligan Highway, near the West Carter County Fire Department. Police blocked the highway while repair crews worked to restore power. As of 3 p.m., 163 customers remained without power, according to the Elizabethton Electric Department. By 4 p.m., Milligan Highway was open to traffic in both directions.
EED lineman Craig Ingram said the tree was probably rotten and may have fallen due after recent heavy rains or a gust of wind.
Photo Credits: Mollie Johnson, Tessa Wilke and Remy Clark