Temperatures in Davidson County are expected to remain to dangerously low levels Thursday night and into Friday morning.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a storm warning for Davidson County until 8:00 p.m. Thursday. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 5 inches, with locally higher amounts are possible. Travel could become very difficult. Plan on hazardous travel conditions continuing through Friday.
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 Evening Updates
Metro Nashville Public Schools
All Metro Schools are closed tomorrow, Friday, January 7, due to inclement weather and hazardous road conditions.
All before and after school care is cancelled unless the provider offers an inclement weather site. Families are encouraged to check with their provider for that information.
All after-school activities, including sports practices, games, performances and meetings are also cancelled for Thursday and Friday.
District offices will be closed for in-person activities, but will be operating remotely
Nashville Office of Emergency Management
Dispatch:
So far OEM dispatch has received the following weather-related calls:
- Request for salt and snow removal: 97
- BDOT request for stuck or disabled vehicles: 22
- Emergency Support Units responded for assistance: 12
- OEM has responded to 9 other calls for assistance.
- Rail calls (vehicle stuck on track or hit crossing arm due to ice/snow): 2
- NES: 2
- NES Currently has a total of 7 customers without power.
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 will be closed Friday.
Metro Nashville Police Department
Day shift officers at the eight precincts are being held over to support their afternoon shift colleagues, who took to the streets at 2:45 p.m.
Between 8 a.m. and 2:45 p.m., 172 crashes were reported (128 non-injury, 44 injury).
Officers have been working diligently to reopen interstates and major thoroughfares that have been blocked by crashes and/or vehicles unable to navigate the slick road conditions.
Please travel only if you must for the rest of the day and into Friday.
Follow the MNPD on twitter, @mnpdnashville, for details on major closures.
Metro Public Health
Metro Public Health Department is closed Friday. Staff who are able are working remotely.
Nashville Department of Transportation & Multimodal Infrastructure
NDOT crews are currently plowing and salting primary routes, as well as responding to emergency calls. Crews are working 12 hour shifts to clear primary routes, and will begin secondary routes once primaries are cleared. Later this afternoon, as temperatures plummet and salt becomes less effective, NDOT will use a combination of salt and calcium chloride to treat roadways.
Tonight’s extreme cold temperatures will cause a hard freeze of precipitation on roadways. NDOT urges residents to avoid driving if at all possible and give our crews and other emergency responders room to work.
Winter weather response updates can be found on NDOT’s twitter page: @nashvilleDOT
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 7pm-11pm 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 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.
Metro Department of Emergency Communications
Call totals since 8:30 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. today: (compared to the same time period last week, Thursday, Dec. 30)
- 9-1-1 calls: 575 (367)
- Non-Emergency Calls:922 (711)
Since DEC’s 8:30 a.m. update, DEC worked the following weather-related incidents:
- 178 – safety hazards
- 42 injury accidents
- 112 non-injury accidents blocking lanes
Call totals since midnight through 2:00 pm hours today:
- 9-1-1 calls: 837 (607)
- Non-Emergency Calls:922 (711)
Since the 8:30 a.m. update, DEC worked the following weather-related incidents:
- 187 – safety hazards
- 44 injury accidents
- 121 non-injury accidents blocking lanes
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 mwsonline.nashville.gov/app, 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 worsening road conditions, WeGo Public Transit will be operating reduced bus service beginning at 1:15 p.m. In addition, the Customer Information Booth at WeGo Central will close at 3 p.m. Customers may contact the Customer Care Call Center until 8 p.m.
Bus routes in operation at 1:15 p.m. are:
- 3 West End/White Bridge
- 4 Shelby (to Shelby and 19th)
- 6 Lebanon Pike
- 7 Hillsboro
- 8 8th Avenue South
- 14 Whites Creek
- 17 12th Avenue South
- 18 Airport
- 19 Herman
- 22 Bordeaux
- 23 Dickerson Pike
- 34 Opry Mills (to Gallatin Pike only)
- 50 Charlotte Pike (to White Bridge only)
- 52 Nolensville Pike
- 55 Murfreesboro Pike
- 56 Gallatin Pike
- 76 Madison (to Neely’s Bend and Larkin Springs)
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.
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.
Nashville General Hospital
All Nashville General Hospital outpatient services and Nashville Healthcare Center medical offices were closed on Thursday.
As of 8:00 a.m. this morning, Nashville General Hospital is under a “Code White” weather alert. All non-essential staff were released mid-day. Accommodations are being made for those providers and staff who need to stay the night. Nashville General Hospital will extend the above closures on Friday.
Metro General Services
eBid will be closed Friday.
Metro Historic Commission and Historic Zoning Commission
The MHC and MHZC offices at 3000 Granny White Pike were closed Thursday and will be closed Friday. Staff are working remotely and are answering phone calls/ emails from the public.
Metro Clerk’s Office
Employees in the Metro Clerk’s Office will be working remotely Friday. The window will be closed to customers.
The Clerk and Master’s Office of Chancery Court
The Clerk and Master’s Office is closed when the Courthouse is closed. Staff are working remotely and e-filing remains available.
The Metro Nashville and Davidson County Criminal Court Clerk's Office
Due to inclement weather, the Metro Nashville and Davidson County Criminal Court Clerk's Office was open Thursday until 11:30 am. The office will be closed on Friday.
General Sessions Criminal and State Trial Court Criminal dockets will also be closed on Friday.
If you have documents to file during this time, please visit our website, ccc.nashville.gov to e-file or visit our State Warrant and Bond Office, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, located at:
Davidson County Warrant and Bond Office
440 Third Avenue North
Nashville TN 37201
If you have any questions, please proceed to the following link:
Contact the Criminal Court Clerk
Davidson County Clerk’s Office
All our branches are closed.
Metro Public Defender’s Office
The Metro Nashville Public Defender’s Office will be closed Friday.
Metro Nashville Davidson County Finance Department
Finance Dept is fully functional. Staff have been working remotely most of the pandemic, everyone is equipped to work from home and Treasury is still able accept payments. No interruptions in Finance Thursday and none expected on Friday.
Sports Authority
On Friday:
- Ford Ice Center- Antioch: Closed
- Ford Ice Center- Bellevue: Closed to the public; open only to for US Figure Skating events
The Office of Family Safety and the Jean Crowe Advocacy Center
The Office of Family Safety and the Jean Crowe Advocacy Center are closed for in person services. They are offering remote advocacy. Clients can call 615-880-1100 or email [email protected].
Nashville Fairgrounds
The Fairgrounds Nashville closed was closed on Thursday. The fairgrounds plans to reopen at 6:00 a.m. Friday.
Nashville Public Library
All Nashville Public Library locations will be closed on Friday. For the latest opening status, Nashville Public Library urges people to check the following channels:
Metro Codes and Planning
Both Codes Administration and Metro Planning will be closed to in-person work Friday. Staff will continue to work remotely to the extent they are able to work.
Davidson County Register of Deeds
Offices are closed on Thursday.
Davidson County Election Commission
The Election Commission office will remain closed to the public Friday. Staff will continue to work remotely.
Metro Nashville Human Resources
Metro Human Resources will be fully operational Friday but working remotely. All ways to contact our office are available on Metro Human Resource’s website.
The Office of the Metropolitan Trustee
The Office of the Metropolitan Trustee will be working remotely Friday, and the lobby/office is closed.
Metro Department of Law
Working remotely.
Davidson County State Trial Courts
Presiding Judge Joe P. Binkley, Jr., in consultation with the Trial Court Administrator, has decided to close in-person court proceedings for all State Trial Courts tomorrow, Friday. This includes all Criminal, Circuit and Chancery courts. Also, all General Sessions Courts are closed tomorrow, including the jail dockets.
Several trial courts will continue dockets and proceedings using remote technologies. You should have received or will receive contact information from any courts planning to conduct their dockets through this method.
Cancelling in-person court proceedings is a difficult decision as if affects many members of the public and many Metro and State agencies. The decision was made to protect the safety of the court participants, staff and to allow parents to be able to take care of their children as schools are closed.
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 7th).
Metro Action Commission
All Metro Action Commission programs and services will be handled remotely on Friday.
MAC’s main phone line of 615-862-8860 will be answered remotely by team members. Customers may also connect with us via email at [email protected] or through our social media platforms.
Remote learning for our Head Start and Early Head Start programs will not be in session on Friday. However, families will be able to contact their Head Start center if they need any assistance or call our main Metro Action phone line, email or social media platforms.
Metro Beer Board
Friday, January 7, the Metro Beer Board will continue its current remote operation. Any inspections scheduled for Friday; January 7th will be re-scheduled. Our 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 cancelled 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 will be closed Friday.
All Metro Parks nature centers are also closed as are The Centennial Sportsplex and The Centennial Art Center.
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: ready.gov/pets
- 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 Antifreeze Safety
Prepare now for lost power
- Winter Storms can cause power outages prepare now: ready.gov/power-outages
- 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 lineworkers.