Temperatures in Davidson County are expected to drop to dangerously frigid levels Thursday and Friday.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Winter Storm Warning for Thursday.
It is important you take precautions during this weather event both at home and when traveling along roadways.
For important safety information and weather updates sign up for the Metro Emergency Alert and Notification System. (MEANS) It is free to download.
Metro Nashville Davidson County Department Updates
Nashville Office of Emergency Management
The OEM’s Emergency Support Unit (OEM ESU) will conduct cold patrols Thursday and Friday evenings to make sure people needing shelter can get out of the cold.
During the cold patrols, OEM ESU Members will provide blankets, gloves, hand warmers and other care items to those who would like them.
COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination centers operated by Meharry Medical College are closed Thursday.
Metro Nashville Police Department
As of 10:30 a.m.
Major thoroughfares and side streets throughout Nashville are treacherous. Please travel is only a necessity.
I-24 east in the Hickory Hollow area is closed due to a semi-truck collision. The Harding Place exit on I-65 south is closed due to vehicles not being able to navigate the off ramp. Charlotte Pike between Hillwood and American is closed until it can be salted. The 500 block of Broadmoor is closed due to vehicles being unable to navigate a hill.
Metro Public Health
Metro Public Health is closed on Thursday.
Metro Social Services
Transportation to the Extreme Cold Weather Overflow Shelter or other sheltering options will be arranged for people who want to get out of the cold.
An Extreme Cold Weather Shelter is opened Wednesday and will remain open until Saturday, January 8, 2021.
Metro’s Extreme Cold Weather Shelter will be set up at the 3230 Brick Church Pike, Nashville, TN 37207. A Transportation "Hub and Spoke" plan is in place for outreach workers to drop off individuals at designated locations in West, East, North, and South Nashville, to catch free vans to WeGo Central.
Community partners will also receive instructions on after-hours overflow shelter drop-off procedures. People going to the shelter will ride free from WeGo Central on WeGo Public Transit line 23B between the hours of 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. on nights when the Extreme Cold Weather Overflow Shelter is open. Seasonal cold weather activated passes are available from outreach partners.
Metro overflow shelter is accessible for men, women, couples, and people with pets. Standard hours of operation upon activation are 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
Metro Social Services office is closed however, staff is working remotely and still taking calls for those needing services. Our operating hours are 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Families can call 615-862-6400.
There will be no disruption to our nutritional plan (meal delivery service) for our clients. In anticipation of the weather, we delivered additional/enough meals to all clients that will be sufficient to hold them through the weather system. This was done to ensure they don't miss a meal. Daily delivery will resume once the weather system lifts.
Department of Emergency Communications
Between midnight and 8:30 a.m., the DEC has handled the following call loads (compared to the same time period Dec. 30)
- 9-1-1 calls: 262 (240)
- Non-Emergency Calls: 340 (339)
DEC is working 20 weather related incidents:
- 9 – safety hazards (7 weather related, cars stuck on hills and exit ramps, etc.)
- 2 injury accidents (both w/units on scene)
- 9 non-injury accidents blocking lanes – at least 3 of these still pending dispatched responders at 0830
As the weather system arrived around 7:30 a.m., DEC saw a steady increase in calls and expect that to continue as the day progresses.
Metro Water Services
For the safety of our employees and the community, Metro Water Services employees will be working remotely and ensuring we are prepared to respond to emergencies.
Due to potentially hazardous road conditions, trash collection crews will not be working today. Trash routes will not be picked up and all Metro Convenience Centers will be closed. The recycling drop off sites will remain open but will not be serviced.
The Customer Services lobby will be closed. However, Customer Service Representatives are available at 615-862-4600. Customers can also receive account information and pay their bill online at Water Services online bill pay, through the IVR by calling 615-862-4600 or at one of the outdoor kiosks located at 1700 Third Ave N.
All Metro Water Services field activities will be limited to emergency response.
Residents are reminded to protect their private plumbing in extreme cold temperatures.
- Leave all water taps slightly open so they drip continuously.
- Keep the indoor temperature warm.
- Improve the circulation of heated air near pipes. For example, open kitchen cabinet doors beneath the kitchen sink.
If your pipes do freeze, do not thaw them with a torch. Instead, thaw them slowly by directing the warm air from an electric hair dryer onto the pipes.
* The Metro Office Building is closed due to inclement weather, this includes all departments., including Metro Water Services Development Services and Permits.
WeGo Transit
Due to winter weather, WeGo Public Transit buses will begin operating on snow route detours at 9:15 a.m. Snow routes are for routes that need to use a detour to navigate safely during inclement weather. Buses will operate on all routes that have weekday service, even if a snow route detour is not listed for a particular route.
Safety is our number one priority, so please be aware that there may be additional delays as bus operators are proceeding cautiously. We ask that you allow for additional travel time so we can help get you where you need to go safely.
WeGo Access is operating, but paratransit customers are advised to prepare for possible delays as drivers will be proceeding with caution through neighborhoods.
Customers should watch for media alerts on local television stations, follow WeGo Public Transit on social media (@WeGoTransit), and visit WeGoTransit.com for continuous updates. Customers can also check one of the mobile real-time information tools such as Google Transit or the Transit App, or all WeGo Customer Care at 615-862-5950 for detailed information and service updates.
Metro General Services
eBid is closed today and Metro Postal will be making some, but not all, deliveries.
Metro Clerk’s Office
Employees in the Metro Clerk’s Office will be working remotely Thursday, January 6, 2022. The window will be closed to customers.
Davidson County Register of Deeds
Offices are closed on Thursday.
Davidson County Election Commission
The Davidson County Election Commission is closed Thursday.
Metro Nashville Human Resources
Metro Human Resources will be fully operational Thursday but working remotely. All ways to contact our office are available on the Metro Human Resource website.
The Office of the Metropolitan Trustee
The Office of the Metropolitan Trustee will be working remotely Thursday, and the lobby/office is closed. The office will close completely at 12 noon.
Metro Department of Law
Working remotely.
General Sessions Courts
Only General Sessions jail dockets in 3a, 3c and 4b will operate Thursday.
All criminal bond/settlement and civil dockets are closed.
Juvenile Court
Due to State closures, Juvenile Court will be closed today except for preliminary hearings at 9:30 a.m. and detention hearings at 10:30 a.m. Please do not come in unless you are involved in those hearings. We apologize to those who are already on the road.
Juvenile Court will be completely closed tomorrow (Friday, January 7).
Metro Action Commission
All Metro Action Commission programs and services will be handled remotely in anticipation of the inclement weather on Thursday.
The main phone line of 615-862-8860 will be answered remotely by team members or customers may connect with us via email at [email protected] or through our social media platforms.
MAC’s Head Start and Early Head Start preschool programs will shift to remote learning on Thursday and will be contacted by the individual centers for their remote learning schedule for Thursday.
UT Agricultural Extension Office
Due to the inclement weather, the Agricultural Extension Office will be closed Thursday, but agents will be reachable by email.
Metro Beer Board
The Metro Beer Board will continue its current remote operation. Any inspections scheduled for Thursday will be re-scheduled. The team will continue checking voicemail and email messages as we assess the winter storm.
Metro Arts
The selection panel meetings and artist interviews for the Donelson Library Public Art Projects, previously scheduled for Thursday, January 6, and Tuesday, January 11, are canceled and will be rescheduled as quickly as possible, weather, and pandemic issues permitting.
Metro Arts staff will be working remotely but remain accessible. Metro Arts Contact information
Metro Parks
All Metro Parks regional and neighborhood community centers are closed for the day, Thursday, January 6, 2022.
All Metro Parks nature centers are closed for the day, Thursday, January 6, 2022.
The Centennial Sportsplex is closed for the day, Thursday, January 6, 2022.
The Centennial Art Center is closed for the day, Thursday, January, 6, 2022.
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.
Driving Safety
You should also 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! 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. Animal and Antifreeze Safety
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.
- Nashville Electric Service Power Outage Center
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 Nashville Electric Service line workers.