The Nashville Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is urging everyone to prepare for rain and then blistering cold toward to the end of the weekend and into Monday, January 20, 2025. The cold weather is expected to include single digit low temperatures for at least 72 hours.
The National Weather Service (NWS) forecast mild temperatures with breezy south winds on Friday. Rain showers are expected to move in Friday evening and lasts through Saturday.
Rainfall amounts of 0.25 to 0.50 inches expected. Then Saturday night into Sunday morning light snow is expected with some accumulations possible.
By the end of the weekend dangerously cold temperatures will arrive and are expected to last through at least Wednesday morning.
Many locations will have single digits at night and only 20s during the day.
Safety information on the National Weather Service website
OEM Field Responders and Emergency Support Unit Members (ESUs) will conduct cold patrols on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday beginning at 6:00 p.m.
During the cold patrols, OEM ESU Members will provide blankets, gloves, hand warmers and other care items to those who would like them, should they choose not to go to one of the available shelters.
The Office of Homeless Services (OHS) is closely monitoring the weather and final decisions are made by noon the prior day about operating the extreme cold weather shelter.
Text “OHSALERT” to 888-777 to get alerts when the Extreme Cold Weather Shelter is opening.
Operating Hours:
- Saturday night, January 18 starting at 7:00 p.m. The shelter will operate on extended hours, remaining open for 24 hours.
- Sunday, January 19 The shelter will operate on extended hours, remaining open for 24 hours.
Metro Emergency Shelter operates as the overflow shelter; please continue to use the regular Emergency Shelter options at Room In the Inn and Nashville Rescue Mission.
Cold Patrol and Outreach Teams, please ensure people actually enter the building prior to driving away.
Launch Pad Emergency Shelter provides shelter for unstably housed young adults 18-24 in an LGBTQ+ affirming atmosphere. Details about hours, locations, and procedures will be provided to young adults via email upon sign-up through our website: Launch Pad Emergency Shelter
Metro Nashville Davidson County Operations
Metro Nashville Government Offices are Closed Monday in Observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. However, emergency services are not impacted by the closure of administrative offices.
Metro Water Services
In celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, trash and recycling collection will not occur on Monday, 1/20/2025 – collection will be shifted one day, extending into Saturday, 1/25.
For an MWS-related emergency, call 615-862-4600 and select option 3. For more collection information or to set up reminders, please visit recycle.nashville.gov.
Winter Weather Protection Information from Metro Water Services:
Pipes that freeze most frequently are:
- Pipes that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines, and backflow preventers.
- Water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets.
- Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation.
How to prevent frozen pipes:
- Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
- Close vents to crawl spaces to protect pipes and cover outdoor spigots.
- Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
- When the weather is very cold outside, let water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.
- Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night.
- If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.
- Insulate backflow preventers and provide a heater, if necessary.
How to safely thaw a frozen pipe:
- If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
- Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.
- Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.
- Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you cannot thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
- Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.
Locate you water shut off valve:
- The ability to quickly close this valve may prevent further damage to your home in the event one of your interior pipes burst.
- The shut-off valve may be in the basement, under the kitchen sink, in a utility closet, near the hot water heater, or even under your home in a crawl space.
- If you think you have found it, be sure to test it.
- If you cannot locate your inside shut-off valve or do not have one installed, we recommend that you contact your plumber.
Additionally, when temperatures rise, an increase in water main breaks caused by ground shift is anticipated. Potential water main breaks should be reported to MWS as soon as possible to 615-862-4600. If water is seen bubbling up in a roadway or flowing in an unusual place, or residents experience a water outage or unexplained low pressure, it may be the result of a broken water main. Current break investigations or active break repairs can be viewed on the MWS Outage map at Metro Water Services Outage Map.
More Winter Weather Tips
Nashville Electric Service
Winter weather is quickly approaching, and temperatures will soon drop around Middle Tennessee, which can lead to higher bills. If you’re wanting to save some extra money on your bill, here are some energy-saving tips that’ll keep you warm and cozy while doing so:
- Don’t crank up the heat! Your bill (and home) will be most energy-efficient when it’s close to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Stay warm by layering up with sweatshirts and getting cozy with your favorite blanket.
- Take a closer look at your windows and doors. Ensure heat isn’t escaping your home through drafty windows and doors. If you find cracks and leaks, get a strong sealant, weather-stripping or caulk and fill all gaps to ensure your home is saving more energy. You can also block drafts with tight-fitting, insulating drapes or shades.
- Take advantage of natural sunlight. Natural sunlight can heat your home and reduce the need to turn up the heat. Open your blinds or curtains on south-facing windows during the day for natural, free heat, and close them at night to keep warm air in.
- Make sure your vents aren’t covered. Check for furniture, decor or rugs that may be blocking the distribution of air into your home. Clear vents mean your home is getting the heating and cooling you’re paying for!
- Close your fireplace damper. Dampers can cause heat loss in your home. Keep it closed when the fireplace is not in use to avoid heat loss.
- Set your water heater to 120 degrees. This prevents scalding during colder temperatures!
- Keep the oven door closed. While you may be tempted to heat your home with your oven, you shouldn’t! It’ll raise your electric bill and create a safety hazard in your home.
- Close the garage door. Garages are hotter in the summer and colder in the winter. Keep your garage door closed to buffer colder outdoor air from trickling into your home.
- Be mindful of exhaust fans. Use exhaust fans sparingly to avoid pulling extra warm air out of your home.
- Change your air filters. Replace your air filter and schedule routine maintenance regularly so your heating system runs safely and efficiently.
Other Winter Weather Tips
Get supplies before the weather
- 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! More pet prep tips: www.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.
Prepare now for lost power
- #WinterStorms can cause power outages prepare now: www.ready.gov/power-outages
- 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