Flash Report #6 Extreme Winter Weather
HIGHLIGHTS
• The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville is activated at a Level 4 - Elevated to support local requests.
• 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.
• Commercial fuel drivers and commercial livestock and poultry industry drivers have been granted temporary hours of service waiver through Jan. 27.
CURRENT SITUATION
The arctic cold of this last week is coming to an end with this week’s forecast including warmer temperatures and rain in all parts of Tennessee starting Monday and extending through Friday.
Because of the extremely cold temperatures, the demand on power set multiple records for electricity demand this last week. Per TVA, while the demand was unprecedented the grid remained stable.
The State of Emergency declarations that TEMA Director Patrick C. Sheehan issued on behalf of Governor Bill Lee that waives commercial hours of service restrictions for vehicles transporting fuel, livestock, poultry, and feed for the livestock and poultry remains in effect until 3:59 p.m. Jan. 27.
The extreme cold continues to cause damage to drinking water infrastructure across Tennessee, and TEMA and TDEC expect that additional systems will experience problems or detect damages as temperatures thaw this coming week.
POWER OUTAGES & UTILITIES
• Extremely cold temperatures across the region created record demand for electricity. Per TVA, the electric and their generating facilities remained stable and performed well. The peak power demand on Jan. 21 was 34,284 megawatts at 9 a.m. EST at a system average temperature of 12 degrees. This is the highest weekend peak and the second highest all-time peak in TVA history.
• As of 5:00 p.m. CST on Jan. 21, there are 2,750 power outage reports statewide.
• As of 5:30 p.m. CST on Jan. 21, 17 counties have reported water utilities with operational issues and 28 water systems have issued Boil Water Advisories. If you have lost water or have a loss of water pressure, check with our water system for more information and for recommended actions.
Reported Issues w/ Boil Water Advisory In Affect
County- Water System
Carter- First Utility District of Carter County
Crockett- Friendship Distribution System
Crockett- Alamo Water Department
Giles- Lynnville Water Department
Giles- Pulaski Water Department
Giles- Ardmore Water System
Giles- Minor Hill Water System
Giles- Tarpley Shop Utility District
Giles- South Giles Water System
Giles- Fairview Utility District
Hardin- Savannah Utility Department
Hardin- Limestone Water Utility, LLC as Aqua Utilities
Henderson- Lexington Water System
Henderson- Scotts Hill Water System
Henderson- Sardis Water System
Houston- Tennessee Ridge Water System
Houston- Erin Water System
Lauderdale- Lauderdale County Water System
Lawrence- Fall River Road Utility District
Lawrence- Loretto Water Department
Lawrence- Summertown Water System
Lawrence- Lexington Water Department Rascaltown Community
Lincoln- Petersburg Water System
McMinn- Resolute Forest Products
McNairy- Adamsville Water Department
McNairy- Michie Water Department
McNairy- Selmer Water System
Shelby- Memphis Light, Gas & Water
Reported Issues w/out Boil Water Advisory In Affect
County- Water System
Bedford- Bell Buckle Water System
Greene- Chuckey Utility District
Hickman- Centerville Water System
Lawrence- Northeast Lawrence Utility System
Lawrence- Leoma Utility System
Lawrence- Lawrenceburg Utility System
Maury- Mount Pleasant Water System #1
Tipton- Mason Water Department
WARMING CENTERS
• Warming centers have been opened across the state. A list of known centers can be found on the TEMA website.
TDOT
• Crews continue to support communities with winter weather impacts.
• Many roads, especially secondary routes, continue to be impacted. Drive cautiously.
• Current road conditions can be checked on the TDOT SmartWay website.
THP
• THP continues to provide motorist assistance, traffic control, and support other law enforcement responsibilities.
TDH
• The Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed 27 weather-related fatalities. Eight in Shelby County, one in Hickman County, one in Madison County, two in Washington County, one in Carroll County, four in Knox County, one in Van Buren County, one in Lauderdale County, one in Henry County, two in Marshall County, one in Coffee County, one in Marion County, two in Roane County, and one in Anderson County.
PROTECTIVE ACTIONS/KEY MESSAGES
• Monitor local news for updated weather forecasts.
• Review TVA energy conservation tips linked on the TVA website.
• Contact your local emergency management agency if you need immediate assistance.
• Many secondary roads are still impacted. Drive cautiously.
• Dialysis centers that are aware of transportation issues for their patients should contact their county emergency management agency for support.
FORECAST
• Memphis: Partly cloudy, with a low around 24. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
• Nashville: Mostly clear, with a low around 17. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
• Knoxville: Mostly clear, with a low around 12. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
• Chattanooga: Clear, with a low around 20. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.