Trees down, but roads clearing in Union

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. – Lieutenant Brent Long, of the Union County Fire Department, reported to Fetch Your News Saturday morning that crews are working this morning (Saturday, Dec. 9) to clear about 30 fallen trees from roadways throughout the county. Long stated there was no specific concentration of downed trees and that incidents of such were sporadic across the county.

Long added that the Union County Road Department worked throughout the night Friday and into early Saturday morning to treat and clear roads. According to Long, only three vehicle accidents occurred since 5 p.m. Friday evening, bringing the total number of accidents in Union County as a result of the weather to 45 since the arrival of Winter Storm Benji early yesterday morning. Long also reported that no fatalities or injuries were sustained in any of the accidents.

“We were very fortunate,” Long said of the lack of serious injuries to motorists.

As of 10:30 a.m. Saturday, isolated power outages were still being experienced across the county, Long stated, as a result of downed trees falling across lines. However, Long again described these outages as “sporadic” and not widescale.

Long added that the only road closure in Union is state Route 348 (Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway) and said he expects the road may remain closed throughout the weekend.

There was one house fire overnight in Union, occurring off of Fortenberry Road in the southeastern corner of the county. Long reported the fire was considered a total loss, but there were no injuries sustained. The family of the one displaced resident of the home is providing shelter and assistance to the resident.

Long stated cause of the fire is yet to be determined and local investigators are still working to find the cause of the blaze.