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.
Today, Governor Bill Lee, announced he requested an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration on Wednesday, January 28, 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 restoration remains Tennessee’s top priority following Winter Storm Fern. To support restoration efforts, the state continues to focus on clearing downed trees and debris to restore access for utility crews, emergency responders, and the public.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) has opened the Tennessee Disaster Information Line to support Tennesseans impacted by Winter Storm Fern who may still need information, resources, or assistance as recovery efforts continue across the state.
Winter Storm Fern continues to impact all regions of Tennessee, with widespread effects including prolonged cold temperatures, icy road conditions, and intermittent power outages. While some areas experienced limited thawing during daylight hours, overnight refreezing and continued below-normal temperatures are expected to further slow restoration and recovery efforts statewide.
Restoring power remains TEMA’s top priority. TEMA continues to coordinate closely with local power companies to assess system impacts and identify any unmet needs that may require state-level support. This coordination is ongoing to support power restoration efforts and maintain situational awareness across affected regions.
In response to Winter Storm Fern and its ongoing impacts to road conditions and communications across the state, Tennessee has opened a dedicated Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) hotline to assist with welfare check requests and reduce call volume being received by county governments and local public safety agencies.
This is an additional flash report to provide an update regarding the ongoing situation. The Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed three weather-related fatalities.
Below-normal temperatures combined with freezing rain and sleet have resulted in significant ice accumulation across much of the state. This weather system remains ongoing, and conditions are expected to worsen overnight as temperatures drop into the single digits. Continued ice accumulation and cold temperatures will further impact power restoration efforts, transportation, and communications infrastructure.
An impactful winter storm is ongoing across the state, producing snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Areas south of the I-40 corridor have already transitioned from snow to sleet, and this transition zone will continue moving north throughout the day. Freezing rain is expected to develop later this evening. The highest ice accumulations are forecast across the southern portions of the West and Middle Regions, where totals may exceed 0.50 inches. Much of the remainder of the state is expected to receive at least 0.25 inches of ice. Overnight, areas east of I-65 are expected to transition to rain as surface temperatures rise slightly above freezing. Very cold conditions are expected to persist beyond the weekend, with many locations not reaching above freezing again until mid-week.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) is encouraging Tennesseans to prepare for the possibility of a major winter storm this weekend that could bring snow, ice, freezing rain, and freezing temperatures across the state.
As colder temperatures settle in and the potential for winter weather hazards increases, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) and Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) are encouraging Tennesseans to take simple steps now to stay safe throughout the season.
The State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) will conduct its quarterly meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. CT.
Maury, Shelby, and Stewart counties have been awarded an advance designation for their Basic Emergency Operations Plans (BEOPs), a critical step in improving emergency preparedness and response for their communities. This status, granted by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, recognizes the counties for demonstrating their readiness to effectively manage potential disasters and emergencies.
Response operations continue at the Accurate Energetic Systems (AES) site in Hickman and Humphreys counties following the October 10 explosion. Multiple local, state, and federal agencies remain engaged in coordinated recovery and investigative efforts. The Humphreys County and Hickman County Sheriff’s Offices, in partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) National Response Team, continue to serve as the lead law enforcement authorities on scene, supported by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) and other state partners.