☕ Front Porch Morning: Isaias Rain Day — Stay Home Safe, Keep the Outage Number Handy

Or: A Calm Saturday Plan for Wind, Flood Watches and Checking on a Neighbor

Good morning, neighbor. Today is the main Isaias day here in the Sequatchie Valley. The National Weather Service has a Flood Watch and a Wind Advisory in effect for Dunlap through Sunday morning. Rain and gusty wind are already in the forecast, and yesterday Sequachee Valley Electric said its crews are on standby. The calmest plan is simple: stay home if you can, keep flashlights close, and put the outage number by the phone. Let’s take it one cup of coffee at a time.

⏱️ Your 30-second morning recap

• Yesterday: EPB and Sequachee Valley Electric put hundreds of crew members on standby for weekend outages. SVEC urged folks to charge phones and medical gear.
• Yesterday: Forecasters kept Sequatchie in the heavy-rain focus as Isaias moved inland from the Gulf.
• Today: NWS: showers and possible thunderstorms, high near 71°F, northeast winds around 15 mph with gusts as high as 35 mph. Rain chance near 100%. New rain of about ¾ to 1 inch possible today, with more tonight.
• Active alerts: Flood Watch and Wind Advisory until Sunday 7 a.m. Central.
• SVEC early today: No widespread outages reported overnight — still write down the number before you need it.

📝 Jot This Down: today’s 3 things to remember

1. Stay home if you can. Gusty wind, heavy rain and wet roads make this a porch-and-puzzle day, not a drive-around day.
2. If the lights go out, call Sequachee Valley Electric at 1-888-421-7832 (or use the SmartHub app). Stay away from downed lines — call 911 if you see one.
3. Check on one neighbor by phone. A short “you okay?” call is the best Saturday kindness.

Tomorrow’s heads-up: Sunday, Oct. 11 should ease — a chance of showers early, then partly sunny and highs near the low 70s. Keep watching Local 3, NewsChannel 9 or weather.gov before you travel. Early voting and the Social Security COLA news both land Wednesday, Oct. 14.

📰 In Case You Missed It Yesterday (Friday, Oct. 9)

🔌 Utilities Ready Crews — SVEC Is on Standby for You

Friday evening, NewsChannel 9 reported that EPB expects about 250 to 300 people in the field this weekend, and Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative put its line crews and contractors on standby. SVEC’s Tyler Brown said restoration can be slow on remote stretches of the co-op’s roughly 3,000 miles of line, but crews work around the clock. EPB reminded everyone to charge phones, power banks and medical equipment, and to stay away from damaged lines after the storm — assume they are live.

What it means for you: Help is planned before the first outage. Your job is to stay safe and report clearly. For Sequachee Valley Electric members, the 24-hour outage line is 1-888-421-7832. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors shut if power drops. Generators belong outdoors only, never in a garage or porch with doors closed.

👉 Read more (NewsChannel 9: Valley utilities ready crews for Isaias)

🌀 Storm Track Held: Sequatchie Still in the Rain Focus

Local coverage Friday kept the same big picture we previewed: Isaias remnants bring gusty wind, heavy rain and possible downed limbs across Marion, Sequatchie, Bledsoe and Hamilton. The National Weather Service Flood Watch covers Sequatchie and nearby counties through Sunday morning. Mountain and plateau gusts remain the main tree-limb worry.

What it means for you: This is still not a coastal hurricane here — it is a wet, windy inland day. Avoid flooded dips and “just a little water” on the road. If you must drive, leave extra time and turn around when water covers the pavement.

👉 Read more (SValleyNow: Isaias weekend impacts for the Sequatchie Valley)

🛡️ Quick Reminder: Hang Up on Surprise “Medicare” Callers

Open enrollment still starts Thursday, Oct. 15. Chattanooga BBB’s midweek warning still stands: fake Medicare and health-plan callers ramp up this season. Nobody from Medicare needs your card number from a cold call.

What it means for you: Hang up. Call 1-800-MEDICARE yourself, or free TN SHIP at 1-877-801-0044. If your $90 rebate still hasn’t arrived, wait for the mail or ask Social Security starting Oct. 15 — nobody needs your bank number to “release” it.

👉 Read more (Times Free Press / BBB: healthcare fraud during open enrollment)

📅 Today in the Valley (Saturday, Oct. 10)

🌧️ Today’s Weather: Wet, Windy and Worth Staying In

The National Weather Service point forecast for Dunlap (updated early this morning) calls for showers and possibly a thunderstorm today, high near 71°F, northeast wind around 15 mph with gusts as high as 35 mph, and a near-100% chance of rain. New rainfall of about ¾ to 1 inch is possible today, with another ½ to ¾ inch possible tonight. A Flood Watch and Wind Advisory run through Sunday at 7 a.m. Central.

What it means for you: Porch furniture should already be inside. If it isn’t, only step out briefly if it is safe. Keep a flashlight, battery radio or phone power bank in one easy-to-reach spot. Sunday looks quieter.

👉 Read more (National Weather Service: Dunlap point forecast)

🚗 Outdoor Plans Today? Call Ahead — Weather May Win

A few community listings are on the calendar, but wind and heavy rain can cancel or thin a crowd:

• Historic Dunlap Cruise-In — listed 4–7 p.m. Central at 15643 Rankin Ave. downtown. Chamber phone: (423) 949-7608. Call before you leave; classic-car evenings and thunderstorms do not mix well.
• Cowboy Church of Sequatchie Valley — listed rain or shine today at 1050 Ray Hixson Rd., Dunlap. Fellowship and Chuckwagon Chow about 5:15 p.m., service about 6:00 p.m. Info: 423-903-7433. Still use care on wet roads if you go.
• Sequatchie Senior Center — Saturday hours were not independently confirmed at press time. Call (423) 949-2228 before you drive over for meals or rides.

What it means for you: No outdoor plan is worth a slide on a slick hill. If an event matters to you, phone first. Staying home is a perfectly good Saturday.

👉 Read more (Sequatchie.com: Historic Dunlap Cruise-In Oct. 10)

🏠 Power, Food and Generator Safety in Plain English

SVEC’s outage page is worth a fridge-magnet glance today: report outages on SmartHub or at 1-888-421-7832; keep fridge doors closed (food stays safe about 4 hours if unopened); a full freezer holds longer — about 48 hours if you leave it shut. Never run a generator indoors or in an attached garage. Stay away from downed lines and standing water near them.

What it means for you: You do not need a complicated emergency plan — just water, medicine, light and the phone number. If heating bills worry you after the storm, SETHRA’s LIHEAP help is at (423) 949-2191 or 1-800-852-6155.

👉 Read more (SVEC: outage information and storm tips)

🗓️ Put These on the Fridge: Coming Week

• Saturday, Oct. 10 (today): Main Isaias rain/wind day. Stay home if you can.
• Sunday, Oct. 11: Conditions ease; still watch for leftover showers and wet roads.
• Wednesday, Oct. 14: Early voting starts for the Nov. 3 election. Social Security is expected to announce next year’s COLA raise.
• Thursday, Oct. 15: Medicare open enrollment opens (through Dec. 7). Social Security begins taking $90 payment-status calls.
• Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 17–18: Free Remote Area Medical dental, vision and medical clinic at Notre Dame High School, 2701 Vermont Ave., Chattanooga. Clinic doors open about 6 a.m. Eastern Saturday (that’s 5 a.m. our Central time). Parking lot opens overnight Friday. Call 865-579-1530 with questions. First come, first served.
• Tuesday, Oct. 20: Free flu shots at the Sequatchie County Health Department, 16939 Rankin Ave., Dunlap, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Central. No appointment or insurance needed. Ages 6 months and up. (Confirm if plans change.)

✅ Your Calm Morning Checklist

• ✅ Stay home unless you truly must go out.
• ✅ Keep 1-888-421-7832 (SVEC outages) on a card by the phone.
• ✅ Flashlight, phone charger and medicines in one easy spot.
• ✅ Fridge and freezer doors stay shut if power drops.
• ✅ Never run a generator indoors.
• ✅ Call one neighbor to check in.
• ✅ Hang up on surprise “Medicare” callers — open enrollment is still five days away.
• ✅ Optional outdoor events: call ahead before you drive.

Practical rule: You don’t have to remember it all. Just keep this page handy, and check back tomorrow morning.

— Dunlap.Today

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Is today dangerous here?

Forecasters expect a windy, rainy day from Isaias’s remnants, not a full hurricane. The main worries are fallen limbs, possible flooding in low spots, slick roads and power outages. Have lights, water and medicine ready, and stay home if you can.

How long do the watches last?

For Dunlap, the National Weather Service Flood Watch and Wind Advisory run through Sunday at 7 a.m. Central. Always recheck weather.gov or local TV before you travel.

What number do I call if the power goes out?

Sequachee Valley Electric members: 1-888-421-7832 or the SmartHub app. For a downed line in the road, call 911 and stay back.

Is the Cruise-In still on?

It is listed 4–7 p.m. Central downtown. Call the Chamber at (423) 949-7608 before you leave — heavy rain and wind can change outdoor plans fast.

When does Medicare open enrollment start?

Thursday, Oct. 15, through Dec. 7. Free, unbiased help: TN SHIP at 1-877-801-0044.

🔗 Helpful Numbers & Resources

• Sequachee Valley Electric outages (24/7): 1-888-421-7832. SVEC outage information
• SETHRA LIHEAP / energy help: (423) 949-2191 or 1-800-852-6155. SETHRA Housing & Energy
• Sequatchie Senior Center, 103 Heard St., Dunlap: (423) 949-2228
• Sequatchie County Public Library: (423) 949-2357 · 227 Cherry St., Dunlap
• Sequatchie County/Dunlap Chamber: (423) 949-7608
• Sequatchie County 911 non-emergency: (423) 949-9912. For an emergency, call 911.
• Medicare: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Medicare.gov
• Social Security: 1-800-772-1213. SSA.gov
• TN SHIP free Medicare counseling: 1-877-801-0044
• Remote Area Medical clinic info: 865-579-1530. RAM Chattanooga Oct. 17–18
• National Weather Service Dunlap forecast: weather.gov point forecast
• TN Division of Consumer Affairs (report a scam): 1-800-342-8385
• BBB Scam Tracker: bbb.org/scamtracker

🌅 One Good Morning at a Time

A storm day can make a body tense, but a clear plan makes it smaller. Stay in if you can, keep the outage number by the phone, and check on one neighbor. Tomorrow should feel quieter. We’ll be back with your next recap. Read Dunlap.Today every morning for plain-English Valley news, and find local businesses on Dunlap.Directory.

— Dunlap.Today