Many local communities still struggling following massive ice storm

HARDIN COUNTY, Tenn. — Hardin County and all of Southwest Tennessee is experiencing significant consequences from the ice, sleet, and snow from last weekend.

Power outages among many other issues remain one of the county’s largest obstacles.

The people of the Carpentership Church told us how they were able to provide shelter for the community alongside donations from local services.

“Keith jumped up and said I’m going to go check the church and mama and him said ‘Well if it’s open we can let some people in,’ and I said ‘I’ll call my dad and see if they can sit with some people’ and within 30 minutes we were up grabbing food, and cooking, and getting everything open,” said Sarah Collins, volunteer.

Families have been affected by lack of heat and electricity, lineman have been affected by hazardous road conditions, and emergency services have been utilizing available resources.

Many in the community have recognized their hardship and have stood up to take responsibility for their neighbors.

Hardin County EMA Director Larae Sliger has been sharing continuous updates over social media and tells us how they’re trying to get help to those that need it.

“Are they hurt or is their cellphone just dead? We don’t know that until we send people out there but sometimes it’s taking a couple hours to cut our way in to where they are, so we still encourage people to call to get those welfare checks done, however, just know sometimes it’s going to take time for us to get there,” said Sliger.

Sliger heard from utilities that there are still more than six thousand people without power for Hardin County. Most of these people have not had power since Sunday, January 25.

She said that while some neighborhoods have been restored, she warns that those that do receive power should still remain cautious with things like water leaks, smoke, and electrical damage.

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