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Winds Blow Out The Lights, Knock Over Trees

Last updated on Thursday, February 12, 2009

(UNDATED) - Windstorms from yesterday and last night kept area emergency crews on their toes.

Lawrence County Sheriff's Department dispatchers report they were kept busy with about 20-30 reports of downed trees and about 4 or 5 power outages.

County officials say the worst of the damage came in between 1:30pm yesterday afternoon and 10:00pm last night, when winds started to calm down. Bedford and Mitchell police dispatchers report their jurisdictions were not struck as hard, but they were a little busy during the afternoon hours yesterday, mostly with tree limb calls.

Additionally, Duke Energy was reporting nearly 2,000 power outages in the immediate WBIW listening area, about 300 of which in Lawrence County, more than 1,300 in Monroe County.

Other area news agencies, including those in Greene and Jackson Counties, report plenty of wind damage as well.

The Seymour Tribune is reporting wind is being blamed for a gas leak that caused an evacuation of the Seymour Wal-Mart.

The listening area remains under a series of warnings and advisories. The high wind warning expired as scheduled early this morning at 1:00am.

However, a wind advisory remains in effect for Monroe, Brown and Bartholomew Counties.

Flood warnings, however, have been expanded significantly.

Flood warnings have been extended for river and lowland areas in Lawrence, Jackson and Washington Counties, and Martin and Greene Counties have been added.

Rivervale is under a warning until further notice as the White River is expected to rise about a half foot above flood stage.

Similar flood warnings exist for Newberry, Seymour, Spencer and other nearby river towns.

With flooding returning for the season as a problem, state police are reminding drivers of good safety tips to keep from turning your car into a submarine, and to keep yourself safe in case you do wind up in the water.

State Police Sgt. Anthony Emery reminds drivers that barricades keeping drivers away from flooded roadways should not be passed by, instead, turn around and find an alternate route.

Don't cross water that is running across the pavement.

If you drive through shallow standing water, tap your brakes once you're out to dry them off.

Be especially watchful at night since water on roadways will be even more difficult to spot, and never cross any water when you can't see through to the bottom of it.

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