TEMA Flash Report #2 - Tennessee Winter Weather, 4 p.m., Central

Friday, January 12, 2018 | 04:17pm

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Winter Weather impacts Tennessee Interstates.
  • A Level 3 – State of Emergency is in place.
  • Numerous State agencies staging in West Tennessee to address I-40 traffic issue.
  • Avoid travel on roadways if at all possible.

CURRENT SITUATION

Dangerous icy and snowy conditions have caused significant impacts to Tennessee’s Interstates.  

Multiple accidents on I-40 at the Henderson-Carroll County line, in West Tennessee, have impacted travel in both directions before the 108 and 120 mile-markers. 

Multiple crashes reported on I-40 in Wilson County between the 239 and 245 mile-markers. 

I-65 Southbound near Millersville, Tenn. is closed due to a multi-vehicle accident.  

Tennessee motorists are advised to travel only if absolutely necessary.  

There are no reports of widespread power outages and no reports of any weather-related fatalities in Tennessee.The

American Red Cross has shelters on standby.

TEMA RESPONSE ACTIONS

The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) is at Level 3 – State of Emergency, as of 2:50 p.m., Central, today with staff assessing reports from local officials and monitoring the weather forecasts and road conditions.

Tennessee State Parks is establishing a staging area at Natchez Trace State Park for assets and resources to conduct wellness checks for motorists stranded on I-40 at the Henderson-Carroll County line.  State Parks is also providing fuel and making eight cabins available to personnel working the I-40 crashes.

The Tennessee Department of Military will deploy Humvees and a wrecker to assist with clearing vehicles at the I-40 incident, with the Tennessee Highway Patrol and Tennessee Department of Transportation also assisting with traffic control and road clearance.

TEMA will assist with the I-40 incident to provide wellness checks and distribute comfort kits to stranded motorists. 

The SEOC remains staffed in Nashville, Tennessee with representatives from Emergency a number of Tennessee state agencies and non-governmental associations, including American Red Cross, Commerce & Insurance, Environment & Conservation, General Services, Health, Human Services, Military, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee State Parks, Tennessee Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters, Tennessee Valley Authority, and Transportation.

TEMA Priorities:  Establish and maintain statewide situational awareness; provide resources to protect life and property; and, support local jurisdictions with requested resources.

KEY MESSAGES

Avoid travel if at all possible and remember Ice & Snow, Take it Slow, if you must be on the roadways.·

Call *THP (*847) if you get stranded to be connected to the closest Tennessee Highway Patrol dispatch location.

Call 511 for traffic information from the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Follow the instructions of emergency officials and be ready to take emergency protective actions.

Monitor local news sources and NOAA Weather Radio for updates on winter weather forecasts, road conditions, and for any changes to weather watches or warnings.

Download weather applications to your mobile devices so you have multiple sources for information.

WEATHER FORECAST

West

Tonight:  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. North wind 10 to 15 mph.

Saturday:  Partly sunny, with a high near 28. North wind 10 to 15 mph.

Middle

Tonight:  Snow, mainly before 1am. Low around 21. North northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday:  A 20 percent chance of snow before 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 28. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

East

Tonight:  A chance of rain before 10pm, then a chance of snow and sleet between 10pm and midnight, then a chance of snow after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 27. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Saturday:  Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 29. Northwest wind around 10 mph.