Flash Report #5 - Winter Weather

HIGHLIGHTS

• The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville remains activated at a Level 3 – State of Emergency to support statewide coordination in response to Winter Storm Fern
• Restoring power remains the State’s top priority, as prolonged cold temperatures continue to strain utility systems and slow restoration efforts across impacted regions 
• On Jan. 24, Governor Bill Lee announced that President Donald J. Trump granted an Emergency Declaration to support Tennessee’s response. This declaration supports response activities but does not include federal assistance for individuals, households, or reimbursements. 
• Hazardous road conditions persist statewide.
• The TBI Hotline (1-800-TBI-FIND) remains active as a centralized, statewide resource for storm-related welfare check requests to help make contact with your loved ones. 
• Warming centers remain open in impacted areas.
• 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. 

 

CURRENT SITUATION

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.

Power restoration remains the State’s top priority. TEMA continues to coordinate closely with local power companies across Tennessee to monitor system impacts, support restoration efforts, and identify any unmet needs that may require state-level assistance. High energy demand driven by extreme cold continues to strain utility systems statewide.

TEMA is working closely with local counties to maintain situational awareness, identify unmet needs, and assess and document storm-related damages across impacted areas. This coordination supports both immediate response efforts and informs longer-term recovery planning.

To support public safety and reduce call volume to counties across all 95 counties, the TBI Hotline (1-800-TBI-FIND) remains active as a centralized, statewide resource for individuals seeking to check on the well-being of a loved one during Winter Storm Fern. This line is intended for concerns related to storm impacts, access, and safety. Davidson County welfare check requests continue to follow the county’s established hub process.

Hazardous road conditions persist across much of the state due to ice, refreezing, and limited effectiveness of treatments in extreme cold. TDOT crews and strike teams continue 24-hour operations statewide to clear roads and address downed trees, while the Tennessee Highway Patrol remains focused on traffic incidents and assisting stranded motorists throughout Tennessee.

On Jan. 24, 2026, Governor Bill Lee announced that President Donald J. Trump has granted an Emergency Declaration to support Tennessee’s ongoing response to the winter weather event that is impacting all 95 counties across the state. The current emergency declaration does not include federal assistance for individuals, households, or reimbursements. TEMA is actively coordinating with local counties to assess and document damages to determine whether impacts meet the federal criteria necessary to request additional federal assistance.

 

 POWER OUTAGES & UTILITIES

• The current extreme cold is increasing the power demand across Tennessee. Conserve energy by staying indoors, lowering your thermostat, and reducing non-essential electricity use if health allows to prevent temporary power interruptions. More energy saving tips can be found on the TVA website.
• As of 7:30p.m. on Jan. 27, more than 141,750 customers are without power statewide. 
• TVA reports that their system remains stable and secure, their plants are performing well, and they are positioned to meet rising demand from the extreme cold.
• Lineworkers and other crews are working around the clock to restore power as quickly as possible.
• The public is reminded to stay clear of downed power lines and assume all lines are energized.

 

WARMING CENTERS

 

Warming centers open statewide, with some transitioning to overnight shelters. Warming centers are locally managed, and availability varies by location. Residents should consult TEMA’s interactive warming center map or contact their local Emergency Management Agency.  TEMA maintains an interactive map of centers operating throughout the state. Please check the notes section on the map for each shelter, as hours of operation and other information may vary between locations. If you need assistance or have questions about shelters for your area, please contact your local Emergency Management Agency.

TDOT

Road conditions are expected to continue worsening across the state. TDOT crews are working 24-hour shifts to salt and brine state routes; however, freezing rain and low temperatures limit the effectiveness of treatments.

The public is strongly urged to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.

• Crews are continuing to support communities with winter weather impacts. 
• TDOT’s Statewide Response by the Numbers to Date:*

            o   Labor Hours: 56,000 hours

            o   Salt: 45,500 Tons

            o   Brine: 1.4 Million Gallons

            o   Miles:  Over 460,500 miles of roads treated

            o   Incidents Managed:  2,325

            o   Trees Cleared: 1,300+

            o   TDOT Regions 1 and 2 sent members of their Strike Force teams to assist with tree-clearing operations in Region 3.

• It is suggested to avoid driving if possible. If not, you can check road conditions on the TDOT Smartway website.

 

Tennessee Highway Patrol

• THP continues to respond to traffic crashes and provide assistance to stranded motorists.

 

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

The TBI Hotline, 1-800-TBI-FIND (1-800-824-3463), will be operational Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. CT and is only intended to serve as a centralized, statewide resource for individuals seeking to report concerns that would normally prompt a welfare check. By directing these calls to the state level, local non-emergency public safety and emergency management agencies can focus on critical response and recovery efforts related to the storm.

Members of the public are encouraged to call 1-800-TBI-FIND instead of contacting local non-emergency public safety offices or local emergency management agencies for welfare check requests during this weather event.

Davidson County Exception:
All welfare check requests for individuals located in Davidson County must be submitted through the county’s online hub page and should not be directed to the TBI Hotline. Requests can be made at on Metro Nashville’s webpage.

 

TN Department of Health

 

• Power outages can cause refrigerators and freezers to warm quickly, increasing the risk of foodborne illness. To keep food safe, keep cold foods at 41 degrees or below, keep doors shut, and when in doubt throw it out.
• The Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed eight weather-related fatalities. 

            o   One fatality in Cheatham

            o   One fatality in Crockett

            o   Two fatalities in Davidson

            o   One fatality in Haywood

            o   One fatality Hickman

            o   One fatality in Knox

            o   One fatality in Obion

  

 

TDEC

Drinking water facilities in the following counties are experiencing impacts due to the winter weather. Currently all water systems have water supply, but residents should follow any guidance issued by their water provider. 

            o   Clay

            o   Davidson

            o   Dickson

            o   Hardeman

            o   Hardin

            o   Henderson

            o   Hickman

            o   Humphreys

            o   Lewis

            o   Maury

            o   McNairy

            o   Perry

            o   Sumner

            o   Trousdale

            o   Wayne

 

 

Other Infrastructure

Commercial communications outages are occurring in some areas due to power loss and ice damage.

 

PROTECTIVE ACTIONS/KEY MESSAGES

• Contact your local emergency management agency if you need immediate assistance.
• Use extreme caution when heating homes during power outages. Never use generators, grills, or propane heaters indoors. Use space heaters safely and never leave them unattended.
• Discard perishable food that has been above 40°F for more than two hours due to power outages.
• Crisis Cleanup is assisting residents with free storm-related property cleanup, including fallen trees. To request assistance, call 844-965-1386.
• Residents who rely on medical devices or refrigerated medications should plan ahead and contact healthcare providers or utilities if power disruptions pose a health risk.
• Turn thermostats down to 68 degrees or lower to reduce energy consumption.
• Do not connect generators directly to your home.
• Avoid unnecessary travel and limit time outdoors due to hazardous conditions.
• Stay clear of downed power lines and assume all lines are energized.
• Check on neighbors who may be vulnerable, including seniors and those without power or heat.
• Rely on official sources such as TEMA, local EMAs, TDOT, and utility providers for accurate information.
• Report price gouging to the Attorney General’s Division of Consumer Affairs.
• Call *STAR THP (847) for assistance or emergencies on Tennessee highways.
• Monitor local news for the latest weather updates.