TEMA Update on Winter Weather in Tennessee

        The main threats today will be impacts from the incoming snow, freezing, rain and sleet, which is already moving into West Tennessee this morning. This system may produce an inch or more of snow before changing over to freezing rain and sleet.
        A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for West Tennessee; an Ice Storm Warning is in place for Middle Tennessee, from noon until 9 p.m.; and a Winter Storm Warning & Advisory is in effect for East Tennessee.
        After midnight Friday, temperatures will begin to warm up with snow changing to sleet and freezing rain, and eventually to rain Saturday morning. Temperatures will rise into the 40s Saturday with rain continuing. This warming trend melting snow and ice, and the possibility of one to three inches of rain will increase the potential for flash flooding.

Major Threats through Sunday
        Severe Cold – Snow – Freezing Rain & Sleet – Downed Power Lines – Flash Flooding

        Fatalities Tennessee has 11, confirmed, weather-related fatalities:
Hamilton County – One (1) fatality: 63-year-old male, hypothermia related Henry County – Two (2) fatalities: 64-year-old female, hypothermia related; 69-year-old male, hypothermia related Hickman County (1) fatality: 67-year-old male, dialysis patient, unable to get to treatment Knox County – One (1) fatality: 30-year-old male, motor vehicle accident Overton County – One (1) fatality: 38-year-old female, motor vehicle accident Roane County – One (1) fatality, 44-year-old male, hypothermia related Sequatchie – One (1) fatality, 85-year-old male, hypothermia related Shelby County – One (1) fatality: 48-year-old male, hypothermia related Williamson County – Two (2) fatalities: 34-year-old female; 10-year-old male, motor vehicle accident

Power Outages
        There are just over 2,700 customers without power this afternoon, down from 5,700 yesterday, over two counties with the highest outage in Monroe at 2,543 customers.

        A total of seven shelters are open with 55 occupants as follows:
• Red Cross: four shelters open with 41 occupants, in Kingston, Maryville, Dyersburg and Pigeon Forge
• Independent three shelters open with 11 occupants, in Clarksville, Madisonville and Niota

Interstates
        Interstates are moving in Tennessee but TDOT traffic boards note drivers need to be aware that bridges and overpasses could be slick.
State Agencies working the storm response include: Environment & Conservations; Finance & Administration, Health, Human Services, National Guard, Tennessee Division of Forestry, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Department of Transportation, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Volunteer Tennessee. Response support is also being provided from the American Red Cross, FEMA, National Weather Service, Tennessee Valley Authority and Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster.

KEY MESSAGES
• Stay indoors as much as possible.
• Be sure you have adequate clothing and blankets to keep you warm.
• Check on your elderly friends and family members.
• Bring pets and companion animals inside during winter weather.
• If you do go outside, watch for signs of frostbite (loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities) and hypothermia (uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion).
• Seek warm shelter and medical treatment immediately for frostbite and hypothermia symptoms.
• Patients with chronic health conditions who are having problems getting to treatment should notify their local emergency management agency (EMA) or emergency medical service (EMS) to arrange alternate transportation.
• Do not attempt to drive or walk through high water – Turn Around, Don’t Drown.