Isidore brings high winds, power outages, lots of rain
Published 12:00 am Friday, September 27, 2002
For some, it all came pouring down at the right time. While for others, the day caused a little more pain then pleasure.
Thursday, remnants of Tropical Storm Isidore hit Dallas County, causing power outages, leaving fallen trees and bringing several inches of rain.
According to Selma Water Works employee Gary Moss, by 1:30 p.m., Selma had already received two and a half inches of rain since Wednesday night.
Alabama Power Company spokeswoman Jan Ellis said that 2,000 people in Dallas County had lost power, but that the company had managed to restore power to all but about 30 by Thursday morning.
However, by afternoon, Ellis said that up to 600 people had reported power outages in the area of Fourth Avenue and Kayser Street, where a tree had fallen, as well as in the Craig Field area.
By 3:30 p.m., Selma City Public Works Director Tommy Smith said that public works employees and Alabama Power Company crews were still repairing power lines on Fourth Avenue and Kayser.
Dallas County Emergency Management Assistant Floyd Harris also reported a fallen tree on County Road 30, between Sardis and Selma.
Meanwhile, both Dallas County High and J. E. Terry Elementary Schools in Plantersville reported power outages early morning, but said that power was restored later that day.
Despite the chaotic weather conditions, Dallas County Tuskegee Extension Agent Alphonso Elliott said farmers in the area benefited from the latest downpour.
Elliott said that those who farm cattle, grow vegetables as well those growing hay probably felt a lot happier Thursday.
WAKA Television Meteorologist Chris Bailey said that by Thursday afternoon, east Alabama had received the fewest inches of rain, two to three, while some areas in west Alabama had received up to seven inches.
He expected Isidore to continue to move in a northeasterly direction, reaching Tennessee and Virginia this morning.
As of today, Bailey said most of the stormy weather in Dallas County would have &uot;cleared up&uot; by mid morning while he expected the weekend to even have some sunshine.