☕ Front Porch Morning: After Isaias — Calmer Sunday, Watch Wet Roads, Church Is Welcome

Or: A Soft Sunday After the Rain, With Fridge Dates Through Flu-Shot Tuesday

Good morning, neighbor. Yesterday was the main Isaias day here in the Sequatchie Valley. Today feels quieter. The National Weather Service Flood Watch for Dunlap lifted Saturday, the Wind Advisory runs out early this morning, and Sequachee Valley Electric’s map showed no outages overnight across Sequatchie, Marion, Grundy and Bledsoe. The calmest Sunday plan is simple: drive careful on wet roads, go to church if that is your habit, and keep the coming-week dates on the fridge. Let’s take it one cup of coffee at a time.

⏱️ Your 30-second morning recap

• Yesterday: Isaias remnants brought rain and gusty wind across the Tennessee Valley. Chattanooga’s EPB peaked around 1,500 customers out midday Saturday, then dropped to about 600 by evening as crews restored power.
• Yesterday: For Dunlap, the Flood Watch lifted Saturday (rain was lighter than the worst forecast). A Wind Advisory stayed on through early Sunday.
• Overnight / early today: SVEC outage trackers showed 0 customers out in Sequatchie and neighboring co-op counties around 5 a.m. Central. Keep the number handy anyway — a single home may not show until you report it.
• Today: NWS Dunlap: showers likely mainly before 2 p.m., then cloudy becoming mostly sunny, high near 71°F, south wind 5–10 mph becoming west, gusts up to about 20 mph, rain chance near 60%, new rain under a tenth of an inch.
• Alerts: Flood Watch already gone; Wind Advisory ends about 7 a.m. Central Sunday. Recheck weather.gov before you travel.

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

1. Wet roads first. Turn around if water covers the pavement. Leave extra time for church or errands — leftover slick spots matter more than leftover wind.
2. Power looks good co-op-wide early today — still keep 1-888-421-7832 (SVEC) by the phone if a limb comes down later.
3. Fridge dates: Early voting and Social Security COLA news Wednesday, Oct. 14; Medicare open enrollment Thursday, Oct. 15.

Tomorrow’s heads-up: Monday, Oct. 12 (Columbus Day) looks sunny and warm — NWS high near 85°F for Dunlap. A good day to air out after the rain. Early voting still starts Wednesday, Oct. 14.

📰 In Case You Missed It Yesterday (Saturday, Oct. 10)

🌀 Isaias Rain Day Came and Went — Lighter Than Feared Here

Saturday was the day we planned for: showers, gusty wind and a stay-home mindset. Local and regional coverage tracked post-tropical Isaias remnants across the Tennessee Valley with bands of rain and wind. For Dunlap specifically, the National Weather Service Flood Watch lifted Saturday midday because rainfall rates ran lighter than the worst case. A Wind Advisory stayed in effect through early Sunday morning (about 7 a.m. Central).

What it means for you: The scary headline day is behind us. Today’s leftover job is wet pavement, possible downed limbs, and patience on the hills — not a full storm plan.

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

🔌 Power: Chattanooga Had Outages; SVEC Looked Clear Overnight

NewsChannel 9 reported Saturday that EPB in the greater Chattanooga area saw about 1,521 customers without power midday, with dozens of outage incidents. By late afternoon EPB said outages had fallen sharply — down to about 604 customers with repairs still rolling. Closer to home, independent SVEC outage readings early Sunday morning listed zero meters out in Sequatchie, Marion, Grundy, Bledsoe and Van Buren. That is good news — and it does not replace calling if your lights blink.

What it means for you: If power is on, thank the crews and keep fridge doors shut next time it dips. If you still have an outage, call Sequachee Valley Electric at 1-888-421-7832 or use SmartHub. Stay away from downed lines — call 911 if you see one. Generators belong outdoors only.

👉 Read more (NewsChannel 9: Isaias power outages in the Tennessee Valley)

🛡️ Quiet Reminder: Medicare Open Enrollment Starts Thursday

Open enrollment still starts Thursday, Oct. 15 (through Dec. 7). The midweek BBB 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 (Sunday, Oct. 11)

🌤️ Today’s Weather: Softer, Still a Little Wet Early

The National Weather Service point forecast for Dunlap (updated about 1:26 a.m. Central Sunday) calls for showers likely, mainly before 2 p.m., then cloudy becoming mostly sunny, high near 71°F, south wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon, gusts as high as about 20 mph, and a 60% chance of rain. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch are possible. Sunday night looks mostly clear with a low around 54°F. Monday (Columbus Day) turns sunny near 85°F.

What it means for you: A jacket for early church is wise. Watch for fog patches and slick leaves. This is a porch-coffee Sunday, not a storm Sunday — still skip flooded dips.

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

⛪ Sunday Church & Community — Call Ahead If Roads Worry You

Many Valley churches hold regular Sunday services. Two publicly listed options in Dunlap:

• First Baptist Church Dunlap — 12 Church St. Sundays: worship 8:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., Sunday School 9:30 a.m. (Central). Details: fbcdunlap.org.
• Old German Baptist Brethren — Sequatchie Valley — worship listed 10 a.m. to noon Central today in Dunlap, with a fellowship meal to follow. Contact listed: Brian Frantz, (937) 307-6679. Details: ogbbc.org event page.
• Sequatchie Senior Center (103 Heard St.) — weekday meals are the usual pattern; Sunday hours were not independently confirmed at press time. Call (423) 949-2228 before you drive over.

What it means for you: Your own church schedule is best — phone a friend or the church office if weather worries you. Staying home one more morning is still a perfectly good Sunday.

👉 Read more (First Baptist Church Dunlap: Sunday times)

🚗 After-Storm Roads: Slow Down, Turn Around, Check on a Neighbor

Even with watches ending, overnight rain leaves wet pavement, possible standing water in low spots, and limbs that can drop late. EPB reminded folks Saturday to treat damaged lines as live. The same rule holds on co-op roads: if you see a line down, stay back and call 911.

What it means for you: A short “you okay?” call to one neighbor is the best leftover kindness from storm weekend. If heating or power bills worry you after a rough spell, 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

• Sunday, Oct. 11 (today): Softer weather; watch wet roads; church if you go.
• Monday, Oct. 12 (Columbus Day): Sunny and warmer — NWS high near 85°F for Dunlap.
• 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. Parking lot opens overnight Friday (by midnight local). Clinic doors open about 6 a.m. Eastern Saturday (that’s 5 a.m. our Central time). Call 865-579-1530 with questions. First come, first served. Denture services are not available at this clinic.
• 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

• ✅ Drive slow on wet roads; turn around if water covers the pavement.
• ✅ Keep 1-888-421-7832 (SVEC outages) on a card by the phone.
• ✅ Stay away from downed lines — call 911.
• ✅ Church or errands: leave extra time; call ahead if you are unsure.
• ✅ Call one neighbor to check in after the rain weekend.
• ✅ Hang up on surprise “Medicare” callers — open enrollment starts Thursday, Oct. 15.
• ✅ Circle fridge dates: Oct. 14, 15, 17–18, 20.

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 the storm still dangerous here?

No. Saturday was the main rain-and-wind day. Today looks softer, with a chance of light showers early and mostly sunny later. The main leftover worry is slick roads and possible limbs — not a full storm day.

Are the Flood Watch and Wind Advisory still on?

The Flood Watch for Dunlap lifted Saturday. The Wind Advisory was set to end about 7 a.m. Central Sunday. Always recheck weather.gov or local TV before you travel — advisories can end a little early or late.

Do we still have power outages?

Early Sunday morning, SVEC outage readings showed zero customers out across Sequatchie and nearby co-op counties. Chattanooga’s EPB had hundreds of outages Saturday that fell through the day. If your lights are out, call SVEC at 1-888-421-7832 or use SmartHub.

Is church on today?

Most Sunday schedules continue. First Baptist Dunlap lists 8:15 and 10:30 a.m. worship. If roads worry you, call your church office or a friend before you leave. Staying home is fine.

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 weekend can leave a body tired, but a clear Sunday plan makes it smaller. Drive careful, keep the outage number by the phone, and check on one neighbor. The week ahead looks warmer and brighter. 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