Officials provide look at next few days during freezing temperatures

JACKSON, Tenn. — We have a look at what you can expect with road conditions to shape up the rest of the week.

Most around the region are still trying to navigate how to travel through the snow and ice left from the weekend’s winter mix.

If you see black pavement, it’s likely still icy because of the temperatures, so drivers should proceed with caution and use your own discretion for safety.

“We’re going to access tomorrow to see what the conditions are, but before we open up on Wednesday or postpone it even further. I was at our men’s and women shelter yesterday afternoon, and evening just seeing the volunteers still making their way out. It’s been one of those things where it makes you really appreciate being in Jackson,” said Jackson Mayor Scott Conger.

If you have to go out into the cold, make sure you’re prepared, but if you’re at home that’s the best place to be.

“We’re on day 5 now of being out 24/7. We’re working very diligently to work down our list of priorities to get to all of our interstate and state routes. Work with us, move over, slow down; that keeps our workers safe, that keeps any kind of emergency worker safe and the drivers safe as well,” said Nichole Lawrence, Regional Communications Officer for TDOT.

For fire incidents and mishaps it can be difficult for firefighters to maneuver through yards and driveways of many houses and facilities.

“It’s a little challenging to getting  around, but we’re able to do, so it’s just taking us a little longer to get to where we happen to go. Just be careful using any secondary heat source as far as heaters and that kind of stuff. Leave plenty of space around those,” said Fire Chief Eric Turner.

Powers outages were prevalent throughout West Tennessee with some losing electricity for more than three hours.

We’re relying on sun, salt, temperature for everything to melt and clear paths for drivers.

“By 9:30 yesterday morning we had 1.500 customers without power, and that was resolved by the end of the day. We had more of the sleet and snow than we did the freezing rain. I think what happened in some of the other counties is that they had a lot more freezing rain than we did which is much more damaging to trees and to power lines,” said Steve Bowers with JEA.

According to a press announcement from Governor Bill Lee, officials across the state are working diligently to make sure Tennesseans have access to shelter and critical services.

If you have to be out, make sure to have the essentials in case you get stranded like blankets, food, water, and a phone charger.

We have a list of road condition updates from area officials, confirmed closures, and warming shelters.

To see a full list of our Winter Storm coverage, click here.