This is TEMA’s 9 a.m. update on the State of Emergency in Tennessee. We have confirmed 11, weather-related fatalities, details below. Power outages are below 3,000 in the state. We are monitoriting the incoming winter weather system and how it will impact life safety, road conditions and power outages.
CURRENT SITUATION: (For our look locally click here)
Tennessee remains at a Level III- State of Emergency, declared at 9 p.m. on 2/16/15.
The main threats today will be impacts from the incoming snow, freezing, rain and sleet, which is already moving into West Tennessee this morning. This system may produce an inch or more of snow before changing over to freezing rain and sleet.
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for West Tennessee; an Ice Storm Warning is in place for Middle Tennessee, from noon until 9 p.m.; and a Winter Storm Warning & Advisory is in effect for East Tennessee.
After midnight Friday, temperatures will begin to warm up with snow changing to sleet and freezing rain, and eventually to rain Saturday morning. Temperatures will rise into the 40s Saturday with rain continuing. This warming trend melting snow and ice, and the possibility of one to three inches of rain will increase the potential for flash flooding.
Major Threats through Sunday
Severe Cold – Snow – Freezing Rain & Sleet – Downed Power Lines – Flash Flooding
Fatalities
Tennessee has 11, confirmed, weather-related fatalities:
Hamilton County – One (1) fatality: 63-year-old male, hypothermia related
Henry County – Two (2) fatalities: 64-year-old female, hypothermia related; 69-year-old male, hypothermia related
Hickman County (1) fatality: 67-year-old male, dialysis patient, unable to get to treatment
Knox County – One (1) fatality: 30-year-old male, motor vehicle accident
Overton County – One (1) fatality: 38-year-old female, motor vehicle accident
Roane County – One (1) fatality, 44-year-old male, hypothermia related
Sequatchie – One (1) fatality, 85-year-old male, hypothermia related
Shelby County – One (1) fatality: 48-year-old male, hypothermia related
Williamson County – Two (2) fatalities: 34-year-old female; 10-year-old male, motor vehicle accident
Power Outages
There are just over 2,700 customers without power this afternoon, down from 5,700 yesterday, over two counties with the highest outage in Monroe at 2,543 customers.
Shelters Open
A total of seven shelters are open with 55 occupants as follows:
• Red Cross: four shelters open with 41 occupants, in Kingston, Maryville, Dyersburg and Pigeon Forge
• Independent three shelters open with 11 occupants, in Clarksville, Madisonville and Niota
Interstates
Interstates are moving in Tennessee but TDOT traffic boards note drivers need to be aware that bridges and overpasses could be slick.
State Agencies working the storm response include: Commerce & Insurance, Environment & Conservations; Finance & Administration, Health, Human Services, National Guard, Tennessee Division of Forestry, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Department of Transportation, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Volunteer Tennessee. Response support is also being provided from the American Red Cross, FEMA, National Weather Service, Tennessee Valley Authority and Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster.
KEY MESSAGES
• Stay indoors as much as possible.
• Be sure you have adequate clothing and blankets to keep you warm.
• Check on your elderly friends and family members.
• Bring pets and companion animals inside during winter weather.
• If you do go outside, watch for signs of frostbite (loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities) and hypothermia (uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion).
• Seek warm shelter and medical treatment immediately for frostbite and hypothermia symptoms.
• Patients with chronic health conditions who are having problems getting to treatment should notify their local emergency management agency (EMA) or emergency medical service (EMS) to arrange alternate transportation.
• Do not attempt to drive or walk through high water – Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
TEMA’s mission is to coordinate preparedness, response and recovery from man-made, natural and technological hazards in a professional and efficient manner in concert with our stakeholders.
