The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) activated the Tennessee Emergency Management Plan today, Jan. 21, 2016, and declared a Level III – State of Emergency, as of 3 p.m., CST, due to weather forecasts of a major winter weather system that will move into West Tennessee, late this evening and overnight, and gradually cross the entire State through Saturday. TEMA made the recommendation for a State of Emergency to Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam this afternoon.
The second winter weather system of the year is bringing with it threats of freezing rain, sleet, snow and high winds, which may create blizzard-like conditions in some areas.
The possible, critical impacts from this weather system may lead to stranded motorists, power outages, and people needing shelter.
The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Nashville will have key, TEMA staff and State Agency partners monitoring the situation, to include the Tennessee Departments of Health, Human Services, Military, and Transportation, and Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Additionally, TEMA has made contact with resources that may be needed with the potential for treacherous road conditions, including the American Red Cross, Tennessee State Parks, Tennessee Division of Forestry, and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
TEMA’s regional offices in Jackson, Nashville and Knoxville are making staffing preparations for their Regional Coordination Centers (RCCs) that will include State Agency partners.
When activated the RCCs will be a point of contact to assist counties with any needs they report and to gather situational information for any response coordination. Each RCC is checking inventory of blankets, heater meals and water to fulfill any requests from counties or State Agencies for these resources.
The American Red Cross is currently putting shelter staff and volunteers on alert and is placing key shelter locations along Interstates on standby.
Timing & Forecast for Middle Tennessee
Timing: Snow falling around 6 a.m., CST, Friday in the northwest corner of Middle Tennessee, impacting Clarksville and Dover with rain along the Alabama border. Expect snow falling around 4 p.m., CST, on Friday and through the evening and overnight before tapering off Saturday.
Temps: High 41, Low 17
Totals: 1” to 3” of snow possible, possibly 3” to 6” of snow accumulation along the Ky. border
This is a very unpredictable weather system and the timing and precipitation amounts could change. Be prepared for changing weather and road conditions.
PREPAREDNESS MEASURES
AT HOME
• Be sure you have adequate clothing and blankets to keep you warm.
• Have sufficient heating fuel for your home.
• Store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove.
• Bring pets and companion animals inside during winter weather. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas with non-frozen drinking water.
• If pipes freeze, remove any insulation or layers of newspapers and wrap pipes in rags. Completely open all faucets and pour hot water over the pipes, starting where they were most exposed to the cold (or where the cold was most likely to penetrate).
• Maintain ventilation when using kerosene heaters to avoid build-up of toxic fumes. Refuel kerosene heaters outside and keep them at least three feet from flammable objects.
• If you 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.
ON THE ROAD
• Have a winter safety kit in your car with water, food, first aid supplies, blankets, gloves, heavy boots, food, flashlight, extra batteries, and warning lights or flares.
• Let someone know your destination, your route, and when you expect to arrive. If your car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route.
• Call *THP (*847) if you get stranded to be connected to the closest Tennessee Highway Patrol dispatch location.
