Flash Report #3 Tornadoes and Severe Weather
HIGHLIGHTS
• The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville is activated at a Level 3 – State of Emergency to support local requests.
• Crisis Cleanup has been activated for the whole state. If you need assistance with damage from the tornadoes, call the home cleanup hotline (615-488-1875) for help.
• Requests for assistance are being fulfilled.
• Emergency Service Coordinators (ESCs) from TDOT, TDCI, TDH, THP, TN Department of Human Services, and more are monitoring the situation and standing by to provide assistance to local jurisdictions.
• Tdap and Flu vaccines will be offered by the Department of Health to first responders and individuals impacted by the tornadoes at no charge beginning Wednesday, Dec. 13, at specific county health departments.
CURRENT SITUATION
Tornadoes and severe weather impacted Tennessee on Saturday, December 9, 2023. Affected counties include Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Gibson, Montgomery, Robertson, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Weakley, and Wilson counties. The National Weather Service has confirmed seven tornadoes. In addition to the EF-3 in Montgomery County and EF-1 in Gibson/Weakley counties that were reported yesterday, Dec. 11, an EF-2 in Robertson County (Springfield), an EF-2 in Dickson/Cheatham counties (White Bluff), an EF-2 in Dickson County (Cumberland Furnace), and an EF-1 in Stewart/Montgomery counties. The Davidson/Sumner survey is still underway, with preliminary EF-2 damage reported. The National Weather Service continues to survey other areas to assess storm damage.
TEMA is coordinating with state and local partners to fulfill resource requests and provide assistance.
POWER OUTAGES & UTILITIES
• As of 1:30 p.m. on Dec.12, there are 9,000 reports of power outages statewide, down from a peak of 69,674 on Dec. 9.
• Hendersonville Utility District and White House Utility District are no longer on generator power and are back on the power grid. White House Utility District has requested customers to voluntarily reduce water use. Drinking water is safe.
SHELTERS
• Several shelters, both American Red Cross Managed and Independently Operated, have been opened to assist affected Tennesseans.
o Northeast High School, 3701 Trenton Road, Clarksville, TN 37040, American Red Cross Managed
o Madison Community Center, 550 North Dupont Avenue, Madison, TN 37115, American Red Cross
o The Center, 401 North Main, Springfield, TN 37172, Independently Operated
o Dickson YMCA, 225 Henslee Drive, Dickson, TN 37055, Independently Operated
THP
• THP continues to provide assistance with traffic control and other law enforcement responsibilities.
TDH
• The Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed six weather-related fatalities, three in Montgomery County and three in Davidson County.
• Beginning on Wednesday, Dec. 13, the Department of Health will be offering free Tdap and Flu vaccines to first responders and individuals impacted by the recent tornadoes.
o Vaccines will be offered at Cheatham, Dickson, Gibson, Montgomery, Robertson, Stewart, Sumner, and Weakley county health departments.
o Individuals will need to self-identify as a first responder or impacted by the tornadoes. o There will be no charge to the individuals.
TDOT
•TDOT is continuing to monitor road conditions across the state and assist with debris removal on state routes and state right of way. Current road closures include:
o SR 258 (New Shackle Island Road) at SR 6 to Vietnam Veterans Blvd in Sumner County.
o SR 45 (Old Hickory Blvd) at Nesbitt Lane in Davidson County.
o SR 6 (Gallatin Pike N) between Welworth St and Roosevelt Ave in Davidson County.
o SR 11 (Dickerson Pike) between Westchester Drive and Darbytown Drive in Davidson County.
PROTECTIVE ACTIONS/KEY MESSAGES
• Do not enter damaged buildings or hazardous locations.
• Hire only licensed contractors and do not pay the total amount before the work is complete. More tips for consumers after a disaster can be found here.
• Avoid downed power lines.
• If your house or property sustained damage, take pictures before cleanup efforts and contact your insurance company. Complaint line for insurance: (615) 741-2218 or 1-800-342-4029.
• Contact your local emergency management agency if you need immediate assistance.
• Crisis Cleanup is active for the whole state. If you need assistance with damage from the tornadoes, call the home cleanup hotline (615-488-1875) for help.
FORECAST
• Memphis: Clear skies and high temperatures in the upper 50s. Southerly winds up to 5mph. Overnight low temperatures in the upper 30s with increasing clouds.
• Nashville: Clear skies and high temperatures in the upper 50s. Southerly to southwesterly winds up to 5mph. Overnight low temperatures in the lower 30s with increasing clouds.
• Knoxville: Clear skies and high temperatures in the upper 40s. Southwesterly winds up to 5mph. Overnight low temperatures in the upper-20s.
• Chattanooga: Clear skies and high temperatures in the lower 50s. Southerly winds up to 5mph. Overnight low temperatures in the lower 30s with a few clouds.