West Tennessee counties share plans for winter storm
JACKSON, Tenn. — As we expect winter conditions, a few counties have begun preparations to keep their citizens safe.
Weakley County has been preparing its equipment to clear main roads. We spoke to EMA Director Ray Wigginton who advised people to stay prepared for 72 hours. Even though this snowy event may not last that long. It is a good idea to be prepared.
“So this is gonna be a heavy, wet snow, which is typically harder to deal with but one thing that normally does happen whenever that we do have the heavy, wet snow rather than the dry snow is that when people try to clear it say their driveways or other areas, porches trying to clear it you don’t want to exert yourself,” said Wiggington.
Over in Henderson County, several agencies are working together to prepare for the incoming weather. The emergency management agency, fire department, sheriff’s department and highway department plan to do whatever is needed to protect the safety of the public, including offering rides to all essential workers within the county.
“Speaking from the sheriff’s office, we will give the essential workers a ride to and from work. And when we say essential we mean hospital staff, C-stores, which is convenient stores, so gas pumps and things of that nature can be run,” said Sgt. Victor Stanford, Henderson County Sheriff’s Office.
If you are an essential worker and need a ride, you can call Henderson County Dispatch at (731) 968-2407.
With over 700 miles in Henderson County, the highway department plans to clear them as quick as they can. If you see crews out working on the roads, please give plenty of room between your vehicle and the plows.
Be mindful that alternate heat sources like cook stoves, are dangerous, and space heaters are meant to be monitored, as they are not permanent heat sources. Each of these agencies will be available to assist people if they need it.
“The number one thing that I think all of us would say was that the safety of the community is our number one priority. And we would like to encourage people if you don’t have to be on these roads, please do not,” said Steve Deaton, emergency management director.
Officials in Bolivar are working alongside TDOT to clear city roadways. Citizens can sign up for city text alerts through BolivarConnect and county notification through the CodeRed app. For more information and to sign up for city or county alerts, visit www.cityofbolivar.com/
For more information on surrounding counties’ plans for the incoming weather, visit our ‘Seen On 7‘ section.
Click here for a list of resources to help you stay weather-aware in West Tennessee.
Click here for a list of local warming shelters.
