A tree that was down as the result of heavy rains and high winds early Monday morning was responsible for both an auto accident and a power outage affecting much of Cherokee County.

According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency accident report at 6:30 that morning a 2013 Toyota had been involved in a collision with a tree that had fallen across County Road 15; according to reports, the driver, a 60 year old resident of Gaylesville was merely shaken up, and luckily no one was actually hurt in the mishap. 

The falling tree brought down power lines and damaged a three-phase line – which, in turn, knocked out power to much of the area, including the communities of Blanche, Broomtown, Mentone, Rhinehart, Gaylesville and so on.

Co op crews were immediately dispatched to the scene and as soon as those involved in the auto accident were cared for, went to work to make the necessary repairs. 

Despite the weather conditions and extent of the damage, service was fully restored before 10:30 that morning.