Brief storm leaves torn-off roof, debris scattered in Greenback

By JAMIE LYNN DROHAN
6 News Reporter 

GREENBACK (WATE) - Severe storms tore through East Tennessee Tuesday night causing plenty of damage in Loudon County's Greenback community.

Much of the damage was visible Wednesday along Old Sinking Creek Road.

"I mean it just happened so quick. It sounded like a freight train coming through, and then it was gone," Tim Martin said.

The winds in the storm were so strong they tore the roof off a barn. The pieces traveled 300 or 400 yards and wound up scattered around Martin's property, along with broken tree limbs and other debris.

"When it hit, I was on the floor. I jumped up and looked at my wife and said, what was that? And then we went downstairs in the basement," Martin said.

"It only lasted for maybe five minutes, and it was over. The winds were calm. There was no wind or anything. And then after that, the rain started back again and it just rained all night," Martin said.

Martin says he's fortunate to be on vacation from work this week, giving him plenty of time to deal with the aftermath. "I'll probably be at it all day cleaning up."

Residents in the area also say they lost power around 7:30 Tuesday night. It came back on about an hour and a half later.