The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Tuesday, January 01, 2019 03:04 PM
Squirrel Knocks Out Power For 6300 In West Knox Early Wednesday
The animal apparently got into a substation, and KUB said its crews are working to restore power. All but 1,300 households had power again as of 7:50 a.m. As of 8:07 a.m., KUB said all power had been restored.
"This image is from a substation in West Knoxville this morning. A very determined squirrel did not realize the wildlife protection equipment (red) was meant to protect him from the electric equipment, and instead made his home here. His nest building compromised the devices resulting in a very bad morning for him, and a dark morning for some of our customers," KUB wrote on Facebook later Wednesday morning.
It's not the first time an animal has knocked out power in Knoxville this year. In May, a snake slithered into a substation and knocked out power for more than 4,200. A raccoon caused an even bigger disruption in power back in April, affecting 32,000.