From the City of Russell...
The storm across Russell County caused widespread damage to the City of Russell Sunday afternoon. At 3:28 p.m., the tornado sirens were activated for the City, and the National Weather Service issued a warning for a confirmed tornado on the ground west of Russell.
The significant damage includes homes, businesses, vehicles, and the city’s electric distribution system. At approximately 3:38 p.m., the city lost power to several areas and the rest of its service area at 4:00 p.m.
The city activated its emergency operations plan, and all city departments responded and began operations with the following priorities: Life safety, property protection, public welfare, and restoration of city services. City crews worked to clear streets of down trees and other debris, limiting access to areas with down power lines, conducting damage assessments, and beginning work on restoring electric service and continuing water and wastewater service operations. Electric service was restored to most of the city by midnight. Approximately 116 customers remain without power in the Oakdale, Sunset, Margaret, and S. Front Street areas. There are individual customers throughout the city’s service area that have damage to their property or meter box that requires the work of a licensed electrician before power can be restored to their property.
Mutual aid partners for the electric utility began arriving in the city early Monday morning to assist with rebuilding downed power lines and repairing damaged circuits. Approximately 116 customers remain without power in the Oakdale, Sunset, Margaret, and S. Front Street areas.
