Appalachian Electric Cooperative is providing free bags of ice (16 pound bags) to its members who may be in need.
Officials say these bags of ice may be picked up from the ICE HOUSE machines in Jefferson City and Dandridge. The hours of availability will be 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. today. The Ice House machines are located on Russell Avenue in Jefferson City and on Hwy. 139, across from Mountain Harbor Inn in Dandridge.
In addition, the American Red Cross - in conjunction with County Emergency Management Agencies - will be hosting a "Cooling Station" at the Jefferson City Community Center, today from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Any AEC member, who is out of power and is in need of assistance with the heat, is encouraged to visit this emergency station.
As of 7:30am, a release from AEC said "approximately 1,800" customers are still without power. Crews are working "around the clock" to restore services.