Metro Nashville-Davidson County offices will adjust their services due to the ongoing Winter Weather Event.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Winter Storm Warning for our area beginning Sunday, January 14, 2024.
The Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for all Middle TN counties until 6am Tuesday with heavy snow continuing.
A Winter Storm Warning is issued when a significant combination of hazardous winter weather is occurring or imminent.
Temperatures are forecast to stay below freezing until at least Wednesday. The NWS said this cold will be dangerous with overnight lows in the teens to single digits.
Any snow that falls will not melt until Wednesday or Thursday due to the prolonged period of freezing temperatures.
More snow is possible late Thursday into early Friday.
It is important you take precautions during this weather event both at ho me and when traveling along roadways.
Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
OEM Field Responders and ESU has responded to 35 vehicle assists, 20 citizen assists, checked 9 camps, distributed 80 blankets, 35 gloves, 35 hats and 30 socks. They arranged for 4 people to be transported to Brick Church Shelter. Field Responders and ESU will continue operations until 5:00 p.m. and then reassess needs.
On Sunday night, OEM Field Responders and ESU conducted cold patrols and distributed 125 blankets, 150 hats, and 150 pairs of gloves. Field responders collected more blankets, hats, gloves, winter coats and hand warmers and restocked MSE in preparation for the coming days.
Nashville Fire Department (NFD)
NFD has snow chains on apparatus including ambulances.
Our EMS division is staging ambulances closer to hospitals to reduce the length of travel if possible.
Nashville Department of Transportation (NDOT)
NDOT crews are out salting and plowing the primary routes to ensure access for emergency response vehicles and public transportation.
Crews will continue to work 12 hour shifts with 24-hour coverage in response to the winter weather.
NDOT has 56 crews working 12-hour shifts, 24 hours a day. Crews can work more safely and effectively when roadways are clear of motorist traffic.
All non-essential NDOT personnel, including the Transportation Licensing Commission, will be working remotely tomorrow, January 16. NDOT administrative offices will be closed.
All essential NDOT personnel will be reporting as normal and working 12-hour shifts.
Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT)
All regions are actively engaged in shift work to treat and clear routes.
Focus is returning to priority routes as traffic increases and snowfall persists. State and contract graders are deployed to various areas for additional support.
Crews and trucks are being strategically relocated to ensure comprehensive coverage. Continuing vehicle crashes are adding complexity to efforts statewide.
Metro Nashville Public Schools
Metro Nashville Public Schools will be closed Tuesday, January 16, 2024 and Wednesday, January 17,2024.
Metro Nashville Police Department
The men and women of the MNPD are grateful to our community for staying off the roadways on Monday and urge residents to avoid travel on Tuesday unless it’s a necessity. Crashes on Monday have been minimal given the adverse weather conditions. Officers continue to check on homeless individuals and camps to offer rides to a shelter.
Metro Social Services
The staff of Metro Social Services (MSS) and the Office of Homeless Services (OHS) are hard at work, across the city, responding to the needs of our most vulnerable residents – seniors, disabled, those experiencing homelessness, and those already suffering from extensive financial barriers.
After both departments spent the week getting residents stocked and ready to be in the house and Metro’s Extreme Cold Weather Overflow Shelter for days due to the weather, staff spent all day Sunday and overnight into Monday, responding to the snow fall.
- All those registered on our nutritional program have enough meals delivered to hold them through the week and start of next week
- Weather permitting, our staff will resume welfare checks tomorrow. So far, welfare checks conclude that everyone is safe and electricity is in tact.
Metro’s Extreme Cold Weather Overflow Shelter
- January 15, 2023 marks 10 years MSS has operated the city’s Extreme Cold Weather Overflow Shelter
- Sunday’s attendance - 293 people and 5 pets. Between our community shelter partners, namely the Nashville Rescue Mission, we had available space and staff to accommodate all seeking shelter
- A little more than 300 free WeGo bus passes disseminated for free rides to the shelter – Nashville Rescue Mission, Room in the Inn, Extreme Cold Weather Overflow
- Metro’s shelter will remain open all day Monday through at least Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. We are continuing to monitor the weather to determine additional days and hours needed.
- WeGo will continue providing free bus rides via #23B to the shelters through out the day and evening however, WeGo is operating on its holiday and snow route
- Free shuttle rides will continue. During the day, those needing a ride can call and request a ride at the following number: 615-844-3399 The regular shuttle pickup schedule will resume at 6:30 p.m.
- While we anticipated and prepared for an influx of residents, we have engaged community shelters should the need arise for additional space, ensuring everyone seeking shelter can continue to get access to shelter. Transportation will also be provided.
- Couples and pets welcome. They must be crated. We also provide crates on site.
Office of Homeless Services
- Outreach teams canvassed the city Sunday into overnight Monday morning, visiting camps
- Distributed food to camp residents who did not want to come to the shelter, also ensuring they were safe
- OHS staff provided translation services for those with language barriers needing to get to the shelter
- Collaborated with Mayor Freddie O’Connell and Open Table in assisting stranded drivers attempting to get to the shelter
- OHS staff will return to bus depot, making sure everyone makes it to the shelter
- Continue to visit camp locations and distribute comfort items in partnership with The Salvation Army.
Weather Alerts
Always know when Metro’s Extreme Cold Weather Overflow Shelter is open. Text the word "NashvilleWinter" to 84483. Once enrolled, you’ll receive a text when Metro’s Extreme Cold Weather Overflow Shelter opens.
WeGo
Detour: This Monday, January 15 the MLK Day Procession will occur on Jefferson St, and continue John A Merritt Boulevard to TSU Campus from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Jefferson St will be closed to traffic from 27th Avenue North to 28th Avenue North from 5:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Metro Public Health
All Metro Public Health Department locations will be closed on Tuesday, January 16.
That includes our three clinics, the South Nutrition Center and Metro Animal Care and Control.
Assessor of Property
Tuesday, January 16, 2024, the office of the Assessor of Property will be closed due to the inclement weather we are experiencing today and the prediction of more heavy snow for tomorrow.
However, we will respond to voicemails left at our main number of 615-862-6080 and emails sent to [email protected] or if you send a voicemail /email directly to one of my amazing staff persons.
Metro Parks Department
All Metro Parks classes, programs, and facilities (community centers, nature centers, Ft. Negley, Centennial Art Center, Centennial Performing Art Center, Parthenon, golf courses, and Centennial Sportsplex) will be closed, tomorrow, Tuesday, January 16.
Metro Action Commission
Metro Action will be in remote operations for Tuesday and Wednesday.
The call center will be open for regular hours from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. for all customer service questions inclusive of help with workforce and youth employment, rent and mortgage payments, housing and utility payments, and other emergency services provided by the agency.
The agency will continue to accept applications by email and by on-site drop box at the main office (800 2nd Avenue North) if road conditions allow security to open the building.
The agency’s Early Head Start Child Care and Head Start Preschool Programs will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Parents should call their child’s center if they have emergency issues such as food or other urgent matters.
Nashville Public Libraries
All libraries will be closed Tuesday, January 16, 2024.
Metro Nashville Human Resources
Metro Human Resources employees will be working remote Tuesday.
Davidson Criminal Courts
The Criminal Courts’ dockets for Tuesday, January 16, 2024, have been canceled. There are Chancery Court hearings Tuesday. As to Circuit Courts, each judge will decide and advise the parties if something is still going forward and, if so, if it will be remote.
The Circuit Court Order of Protection docket will also be canceled tomorrow.
Nashville Davidson County Register of Deeds
The Nashville Davidson County Register of Deeds Office will be closed Tuesday due to the winter weather conditions.
Metro Nashville Davidson County Planning Department
The Planning Department will work remote Tuesday.
Nashville Farmers Market
The Nashville Farmers Market will be closed Tuesday.
Preparing for Winter Weather
- Prepare your home to keep out the cold with insulation, caulking and weather stripping. Learn how to keep pipes from freezing.
- Install and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups.
- Gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days without power. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication.
- Remember the needs of your pets.
- Have extra batteries for radios and flashlights.
- If you are unable to afford your heating costs, weatherization or energy-related home repairs, contact the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for help.
Heating Safety
- Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
- Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
- Never use your oven to heat your home.
- Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
- Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
- Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
- Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.
- Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room.
- Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
- Test smoke alarms at least once a month.
Portable Generator Safety
- Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust by operating your generator outside for proper ventilation.
- Never refuel your generator when it is running. Let it cool down first.
- Do not store fuel in a garage, basement or inside your home. Vapors can be released that can cause illness and are a potential fire hazard.
- Install a carbon monoxide detector inside your home to warn you in case of a gas leak.
- Never hook up a generator directly to your home's electrical service or wiring. This can cause back feeding and poses a serious risk to NES line workers.
- Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Only use generators and grills outdoors and away from windows. Never heat your home with a gas stovetop or oven.
Driving Safety
- You should be careful when traveling on roadways. Freezing rain, sleet, black ice, and fog are all hazards to be aware of when driving.
- You can check current road conditions online on the TDOT Smartway Map.
- If weather reports indicate icy conditions, consider staying off the roads until they are clear.
- Black ice is highly transparent, so it is hard to see while driving.
- Tips that may help if you get caught in areas of black ice:
- Keep your steering wheel straight. If you turn the wheel, you have a better chance of sliding and losing control of your vehicle.
- Do not brake. Braking causes the vehicle to slide, especially if you brake too hard.
- Take your foot off the accelerator to reduce speed. It is best to let the car stop on its own if you have enough room in front of you.
Protect Your Pets
- Bring your furry friends inside when temperatures take a dip! Get more pet prep tips.
- Wipe dog’s paws after each trip outside. Ice-melting chemicals or rock salt can cause irritation, sickness or be fatal.
- Your pet may think antifreeze is sweet, but it can be deadly. Find out five ways to protect pets in winter.
Prepare Now for Lost Power
- #WinterStorms can cause power outages prepare now.
- Make a plan to check on neighbors if extreme cold or winter weather knocks out your power.
- Power Outage tip: Dim the brightness in your cell phone settings to save battery life.
- NES Power Outage Center
Other Tips and Information
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