Tennessee Emergency Management Issues Winter Weather Update

Highlights

CURRENT SITUATION

Power restoration remains Tennessee’s top priority following Winter Storm Fern. To support restoration efforts, the state continues to focus on clearing downed trees and debris to restore access for utility crews, emergency responders, and the public.

TEMA is coordinating debris-clearing teams conducting chainsaw and cut-and-toss operations statewide, with additional crews deploying. Efforts remain focused on primary routes, emergency access roads, and heavily impacted communities. Through combined state and local efforts, at least 3,000 downed trees have been cleared statewide, including more than 1,100 by local governments and thousands removed from state routes by Tennessee National Guard, TDOT, TWRA, and Forestry crews.

To further accelerate recovery, Governor Bill Lee signed Executive Order 111, authorizing TDOT to assist with debris removal on county and city roads when requested through TEMA. This action is helping restore access more quickly and support ongoing power restoration efforts.

Tree clearance remains critical to recovery, enabling power restoration, emergency response, and access to essential services. The response continues as a coordinated statewide effort among state, local, federal, and utility partners.

The TBI Hotline remains available for wellness checks related to storm impacts, which can be reached at 1-800-TBI-FIND (1-800-824-3463), and the Tennessee Disaster Information Hotline was opened today to provide general disaster information and recovery resources. This line can be reached at 1-844-4TENN-4U (1-844-483-6648). Tennesseans are encouraged to use these hotlines and tn.gov/tema for non-emergency needs to help ensure emergency services remain available for life-safety situations.

As of Wednesday, January 28, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency has coordinated and delivered 165 cots and blankets; 7,644 cases of water, with an additional 4,536 cases scheduled for delivery tomorrow; 700 gallons of gasoline; 1,500 gallons of diesel fuel; six Starlinks to assist with communications, and 10,080 pounds of salt to impacted areas statewide. TEMA continues to work closely with local jurisdictions to fulfill resource requests as they are received.

 POWER OUTAGES & UTILITIES

The current extreme cold is increasing the power demand across Tennessee. Conserve energy by staying indoors, lowering your thermostat, and reducing non-essential electricity use if health allows to prevent temporary power interruptions. More energy saving tips can be found on the TVA website.

As of 6 p.m. on Jan. 28, more than 114,000 customers are without power statewide.

TVA reports that their system remains stable and secure, their plants are performing well, and they are positioned to meet rising demand from the extreme cold.

Lineworkers and other crews are working around the clock to restore power as quickly as possible.

The public is reminded to stay clear of downed power lines and assume all lines are energized.

 

WARMING CENTERS

Warming centers open statewide, with some transitioning to overnight shelters. Warming centers are locally managed, and availability varies by location. Residents should consult TEMA’s interactive warming center map or contact their local Emergency Management Agency.  TEMA maintains an interactive map of centers operating throughout the state. Please check the notes section on the map for each shelter, as hours of operation and other information may vary between locations. If you need assistance or have questions about shelters for your area, please contact your local Emergency Management Agency.

 

TDOT

Road conditions are expected to continue worsening across the state. TDOT crews are working 24-hour shifts to salt and brine state routes; however, freezing rain and low temperatures limit the effectiveness of treatments.

The public is strongly urged to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.

Crews are continuing to support communities with winter weather impacts.

TDOT’s Statewide Response by the Numbers to Date:*

39,000 equipment hours

71,000 labor hours

61,000 tons of salt

4 million gallons of brine

510,000+ miles of roadway treated

2,300+ incidents managed

Thousands of Trees Cleared

It is suggested to avoid driving if possible. If not, you can check road conditions on the TDOT Smartway website.

 

Tennessee National Guard

The Tennessee National Guard has been activated to assist with debris removal in Hardin, Hickman, Davidson, Shelby, Perry, and Lewis counties.

Since Saturday, January 24, the Tennessee National Guard has assisted with:

20 stranded citizens

220 stranded motorists

And have transported more than 280 emergency and health care employees.

 

Tennessee Highway Patrol 

THP continues to respond to traffic crashes and provide assistance to stranded motorists. To date, troopers have assisted more than 1,600 motorists since the beginning of Winter Storm Fern.

 

Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry

As of 1200, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF) has 71 personnel deployed to 15 assignments coordinated by TEMA. Personnel are assigned in the following 12 counties:

Cheatham County

Clay County

Davidson County

Decatur County

Hardin County

Hickman County

Jackson County

Lewis County 

Macon County

McNairy County

Perry County

Wayne County

TDF personnel are primarily engaged in clearing downed trees and limbs from roadways, with saw teams using chainsaws and bulldozers to move debris. This enables utility companies to make repairs and restore power to previously cut off areas and opens roads for residents previously trapped due to impassible roads.

 

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

The TBI Hotline, 1-800-TBI-FIND (1-800-824-3463), will be operational Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. CT and is only intended to serve as a centralized, statewide resource for individuals seeking to report concerns that would normally prompt a welfare check. By directing these calls to the state level, local non-emergency public safety and emergency management agencies can focus on critical response and recovery efforts related to the storm.

Members of the public are encouraged to call 1-800-TBI-FIND instead of contacting local non-emergency public safety offices or local emergency management agencies for welfare check requests during this weather event.

Davidson County Exception:
All welfare check requests for individuals located in Davidson County must be submitted through the county’s online hub page and should not be directed to the TBI Hotline. Requests can be made at on Metro Nashville’s webpage.

 

TN Department of Health

Power outages can cause refrigerators and freezers to warm quickly, increasing the risk of foodborne illness. To keep food safe, keep cold foods at 41 degrees or below, keep doors shut, and when in doubt throw it out.

The Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed 13 weather-related fatalities. In previous flash reports, there was a weather-related fatality reported in Crockett County. It has since been determined that this fatality is not weather-related.

Two fatalities in Cheatham

Three fatalities in Davidson

Two fatalities in Hardin

One fatality in Haywood

One fatality in Henderson

One fatality Hickman

One fatality in Knox

Two fatalities in Obion