TEMA confirms 29 weather-related fatalities in latest flash report
PRESS RELEASE FROM THE TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY:
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.
- The Tennessee Department of Health has reported 29 weather-related fatalities as a result of Winter Storm Fern.
- Restoring power remains the state’s top priority, as prolonged cold temperatures continue to strain utility systems and slow restoration efforts across impacted regions
- Governor Bill Lee announced he requested an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration for 23 impacted counties.
- Price gouging is prohibited. If you have experienced a business that is price gouging, file a report to Tennessee’s Office of the Attorney General.
- 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
Many Tennesseans impacted by Winter Storm Fern are transitioning from immediate response to recovery, and now is the time to take practical steps to stay safe while beginning cleanup and repairs. Continue using caution around lingering hazards—watch for downed power lines, unstable trees or limbs, and use generators outdoors only, never in a garage or enclosed space, to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Check on neighbors who may still need assistance, particularly older adults and those with medical needs, and keep phones charged as restoration and services continue to normalize.
As conditions allow, begin documenting damage to support recovery and any potential future assistance. Take clear photos and videos of property damage, make a basic list of damaged items, and save receipts for storm-related expenses such as repairs, cleanup materials, lodging, or generator fuel. If you have homeowners, renters, or auto insurance, file a claim with your insurance provider now—this helps establish your losses and can support next steps if a state or federal declaration is issued.
For questions about what help is available during recovery, individuals should contact their county or local emergency management agency. Many counties are coordinating with community organizations and nonprofits that can assist with recovery needs such as cleanup support, food, temporary sheltering, or other services, even in advance of any formal declaration. Continue monitoring trusted local and state sources for updates on any evolving recovery guidance.
POWER OUTAGES
- As of 2:30 p.m. on February 4, more than 8,900 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 are locally managed, and availability varies by location. 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.
Tennessee Department of Transportation
TDOT continues to support Winter Storm Fern response operations across the state as part of a coordinated, region-by-region effort to keep primary routes passable and improve travel conditions where it’s safe to do so. Crews remain engaged in plowing and treating roadways, monitoring changing conditions, and prioritizing interstates, state routes, bridges, and other high-risk areas as temperatures and precipitation patterns shift. Even as conditions improve in some places, drivers should expect lingering slick spots, refreeze overnight, and spotty hazards—especially on secondary roads and elevated surfaces. Before you get on the road, check current road conditions on the TDOT SmartWay website.
Tennessee National Guard
- Since the storm began, Tennessee National Guardsmen have cleared debris from more than 920 miles of road throughout the state, performed wellness checks, assisted at 13 warming centers, and have helped with transportation.
- Guardsmen are primarily organized into 3-4 person “Cut and Toss” teams, clearing trees and debris with skid steers and chainsaws to assist Nashville Electric Services and other state and local departments and Emergency Management Agencies to open roadways and restore power to Tennesseans. Guardsmen are currently operating in Davidson, Decatur, Hardeman, Hardin, Macon, McNairy, Shelby, and Williamson counties.
Tennessee Highway Patrol
THP continues to respond to traffic crashes and provide assistance to stranded motorists. From January 24, 2026, to February 3, 2026, troopers have assisted with:
- 3,376 motorists assisted
- 447 lane blockages
- 523 Abandoned vehicles checked
- 8,277 phone calls into dispatch
Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry still has personnel deployed in the storm-affected counties, where they continue to clear roads of trees and debris.
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
TWRA wildlife managers, officers, technicians, and radio crews have continued to step up and collaborate with state partners to meet urgent needs.
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 wellness 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 wellness 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 wellness 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.
Tennessee 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 29 weather-related fatalities due to Winter Storm Fern:
o Six fatalities in Shelby
o Three fatalities in Davidson
o Three fatalities in Knox
o Two fatalities in Fayette
o Two fatalities in Hardin
o Two fatalities in Hawkins
o Two fatalities in Henderson
o Two fatalities Hickman
o Two fatalities in Obion
o One fatality in Cheatham
o One fatality in Dyer
o One fatality in Hancock
o One fatality in Haywood
o One fatality in Johnson
The Tennessee Department of Health has also confirmed three weather-related fatality due to the separate winter weather that began impacting East Tennessee on Friday, Jan. 30.
o One fatality in Greene
o One fatality in Sullivan
o One fatality in Washington
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
State Parks
TDEC State Parks staff have continued to provide operational, logistical, and field support assisting with road clearing, search and rescue operations, and access restoration to support emergency medical services, law enforcement, and critical infrastructure repair.
Division of Water Resources
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is reporting systems with impacts. Residents should continue to monitor guidance from their local water system providers and remain alert for any protective actions that may be issued. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has created a real-time dashboard that lists all of the impacted water systems and any protective actions the water provider has issued.
Tennessee Department of Human Services
If you are a current recipient of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, the Tennessee Department of Human Services is prepared to provided replacement SNAP benefits to current SNAP households who have suffered losses due to power outages of 12 hours or more. For more information, including necessary forms, please visit the Tennessee Department of Human Services website.
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.
