TEMA confirms 21 weather-related fatalities in latest report

4 hours ago

WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News Staff,

HIGHLIGHTS

The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville remains activated at a Level 3 – State of Emergency to support statewide coordination in response to Winter Storm Fern
TEMA has created a survey to self-report damages to homes as a result of Winter Storm Fern. Report your damages.
Restoring power remains the state’s top priority, as prolonged cold temperatures continue to strain utility systems and slow restoration efforts across impacted regions
Today, Governor Bill Lee announced he requested an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration for 23 impacted counties.
ALERT: Several Tennessee residents are receiving text messages, phone calls, and emails falsely claiming to be from TBI and 1-800-TBI-FIND as part of a suspected scam related to the recent winter storm. TBI will never ask for money or financial account information at the hotline.
Hotlines Available: The TBI Hotline (1-800-TBI-FIND) remains active as a centralized, statewide resource for storm-related welfare check requests to help make contact with your loved ones. The Winter Weather Information is established to support Tennesseans impacted by Winter Storm Fern. 1-844-4TENN-4U (1-844-483-6648).
Warming centers remain open in impacted areas.
Emergency Service Coordinators (ESCs) from TDOT, TDEC, TDCI, TDH, THP, TN Department of Human Services, and more are monitoring the situation and standing by to provide assistance to local jurisdictions.

CURRENT SITUATION

We continue to urge Tennesseans to be weather aware going into the weekend as a Winter Storm Watch is in effect for most of East Tennessee east of I-75 from Friday at 1:00 p.m. EST through Sunday at 1:00 a.m. EST. Forecasts indicate moderate to heavy snowfall, with expected accumulations of 2–4 inches across Tennessee, which may further impact already stressed infrastructure, roadways, and power restoration efforts in affected areas.

Restoring power remains Tennessee’s top priority. The state is working closely with local, federal, utility, and voluntary partners to identify and deploy additional personnel and resources to impacted areas to continue. Efforts are focused on clearing downed trees to restore access for utility crews and emergency responders, expedite power restoration, and maintain critical routes. TEMA continues to coordinate chainsaw and cut-and-toss operations statewide, prioritizing primary routes, emergency access roads, and heavily impacted communities.

TEMA is asking anyone whose home has been impacted by Winter Storm Fern to complete a survey to report any damages. The survey helps the state better understand the types and extent of damage Tennesseans are experiencing so assistance can be directed where it is needed most. The survey is designed to take only a few minutes to complete. Submitting the survey does not guarantee assistance, but it is a critical step in helping state and local officials assess impacts and identify potential needs across Tennessee.

On January 28, Governor Bill Lee requested an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration from the federal government for 23 Tennessee counties impacted by recent winter weather. This request is intended to accelerate access to federal assistance and support ongoing response and recovery operations as the state continues to address widespread storm impacts.

POWER OUTAGES

As of 5 p.m. on Jan. 30, more than 63,267 customers are without power statewide.
Lineworkers and other crews are working around the clock to restore power as quickly as possible.
The public is reminded to stay clear of downed power lines and assume all lines are energized.

WARMING CENTERS

Warming centers open statewide, with some transitioning to overnight shelters. Warming centers are locally managed, and availability varies by location. Residents should consult TEMA’s interactive warming center map or contact their local Emergency Management Agency. TEMA maintains an interactive map of centers operating throughout the state. Please check the notes section on the map for each shelter, as hours of operation and other information may vary between locations. If you need assistance or have questions about shelters for your area, please contact your local Emergency Management Agency.

TDOT

Due to the current winter weather, road conditions are expected to continue worsening across the state. TDOT crews are working 24-hour shifts to salt and brine state routes; however, freezing rain and low temperatures limit the effectiveness of treatments.
The public is strongly urged to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.
Crews are continuing to support communities with winter weather impacts.
This is a statewide, coordinated response, and every region is engaged. These figures help illustrate the scale of the effort:

o 99,000 staff hours

o 73,000 tons of salt

o 1.7 million gallons of brine

o 605,000+ miles of roadway treated

o 3,689+ Services Rendered to Motorists

o Thousands of Trees Cleared

It is suggested to avoid driving if possible. If not, you can check road conditions on the TDOT Smartway website.

Tennessee National Guard

More than 270 Soldiers and Airmen with the Tennessee National Guard has been activated to assist with debris removal in Chester, Hardin, Hickman, Davidson, Shelby, Perry, and Lewis counties.

Tennessee Highway Patrol

THP continues to respond to traffic crashes and provide assistance to stranded motorists. To date, troopers have assisted more than 1,600 motorists since the beginning of Winter Storm Fern.

Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry

Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry crews are currently covering 10 active assignments across 9 counties with 67 personnel deployed.

Cheatham County – 6 Persons
Clay County – 4 Persons
Decatur County – 4 Persons
Hardin County – 9 Persons
Hickman County – 9 Persons
Lewis County – 8 Persons
Macon County – 5 Persons and 2 Dozers
McNairy County – 14 Persons
Wayne County – 10 Persons and 2 Dozers

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

The TBI Hotline, 1-800-TBI-FIND (1-800-824-3463), will be operational Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. CT and is only intended to serve as a centralized, statewide resource for individuals seeking to report concerns that would normally prompt a welfare check. By directing these calls to the state level, local non-emergency public safety and emergency management agencies can focus on critical response and recovery efforts related to the storm.

Members of the public are encouraged to call 1-800-TBI-FIND instead of contacting local non-emergency public safety offices or local emergency management agencies for welfare check requests during this weather event.

ALERT: Several Tennessee residents are receiving communications (text messages, phone calls, and emails) purporting to be from TBI and 1-800-TBI-FIND. We suspect this may be a concerted effort to capitalize on the recent winter storm and scam residents. We will not call you from 1-800-TBI-FIND (1-800-824-3463) and will never ask for money. If you receive one of these calls, hang up and call us at 1-800-TBI-FIND, as your information may help us identify the source of these communications.

Davidson County Exception:
All welfare check requests for individuals located in Davidson County must be submitted through the county’s online hub page and should not be directed to the TBI Hotline. Requests can be made at on Metro Nashville’s webpage.

TN Department of Health

Things to know about carbon monoxide poisoning:

Many people rely on alternative power sources to keep their homes warm during power outages. Portable backup generators produce the odorless, colorless, poisonous gas carbon monoxide (CO). CO claims the lives of hundreds of people every year and makes thousands more ill.
Never use a generator inside your home or garage even with the windows and doors are open.
Only use generators outside, more than 20 feet away from your home, doors, and windows.
Install battery-operated or battery backup carbon monoxide detectors near every sleeping area in your home.
Check carbon monoxide detectors regularly to be sure they are functioning properly.
For more information about CO poisoning prevention, visit Healthy Homes – Carbon Monoxide.

Power outages can cause refrigerators and freezers to warm quickly, increasing the risk of foodborne illness. To keep food safe, keep cold foods at 41 degrees or below, keep doors shut, and when in doubt throw it out.
The Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed 21 weather-related fatalities:

o One fatality in Cheatham

o Three fatalities in Davidson

o One fatality in Fayette

o Two fatalities in Hardin

o One fatality in Haywood

o Two fatalities in Henderson

o Two fatalities Hickman

o One fatality in Knox

o Two fatalities in Obion

o Six fatalities in Shelby

TDEC

Drinking water facilities in the following counties are experiencing impacts due to the winter weather. Currently all water systems have water supply, but residents should follow any guidance issued by their water provider.

The water systems listed below have been identified as impacted. Some of these systems are experiencing operational impacts but have not implemented protective actions at this time. Residents should continue to monitor guidance from their local water system providers and remain alert for any protective actions that may be issued. All identified impacts are listed below.

Drinking Water Systems

County	Utility	Impacts
Gibson	Gibson Co Municipal Water District	Boil Water Advisory
Hardin	Aqua Utilities	Boil Water Advisory
Hardin	Saltillo WD	No Protective Action
Hardin	Savannah WD	Boil Watter Advisory
Hardeman	Limestone Utility	Boil Water Advisory; Water Conservation Advisory
Hardeman	Middleton WD	Boil Water Advisory; Water Conservation Advisory
Hardeman	Rogers Springs Lakes POA	Boil Water Advisory; Water Conservation Advisory
Henderson	Lexington	Boil Water Advisory
Henderson	Scotts Hill WS	Boil Water Advisory
Hickman	Centerville Water System	Boil Water Advisory
Houston	Erin WD	No Protective Action
Lauderdale	Gates	Boil Water Advisory
Lewis	Hohenwald	Boil Water Advisory
McNairy	Michie WS	Boil Water Advisory
McNairy	Adamsville	Boil Water Advisory
McNairy	Eastview	Boil Water Advisory
McNairy	Selmer	Boil Water Advisory
Macon	Lafayette	No Protective Action
Marshall	Lewisburg	Boil Water Advisory
Perry	Lobelville WD	Boil Water Advisory
Perry	Linden WD	Boil Water Advisory

Other Infrastructure

Commercial communications outages are occurring in some areas due to power loss and ice damage.

PROTECTIVE ACTIONS/KEY MESSAGES

Contact your local emergency management agency if you need immediate assistance.
Use extreme caution when heating homes during power outages. Never use generators, grills, or propane heaters indoors. Use space heaters safely and never leave them unattended.
Discard perishable food that has been above 40°F for more than two hours due to power outages.
Crisis Cleanup is assisting residents with free storm-related property cleanup, including fallen trees. To request assistance, call 844-965-1386.
Residents who rely on medical devices or refrigerated medications should plan ahead and contact healthcare providers or utilities if power disruptions pose a health risk.
Turn thermostats down to 68 degrees or lower to reduce energy consumption.
Do not connect generators directly to your home.
Avoid unnecessary travel and limit time outdoors due to hazardous conditions.
Stay clear of downed power lines and assume all lines are energized.
Check on neighbors who may be vulnerable, including seniors and those without power or heat.
Rely on official sources such as TEMA, local EMAs, TDOT, and utility providers for accurate information.
Report price gouging to the Attorney General’s Division of Consumer Affairs.
Call *STAR THP (847) for assistance or emergencies on Tennessee highways.
Monitor local news for the latest weather updates.