Municipalities deal with water, power outages after Winter Storm Fern strikes

By KATE COIL

TT&C Assistant Editor

State officials confirmed 31 weather-related deaths amid Winter Storm Fern, leading to a statewide emergency declaration. 

Officials with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) said one death in each Cheatham, Dyer, Hancock, Haywood, and Johnson counties; two deaths each in Fayette, Hardin, Hawkins, Henderson, Hickman, and Obion counties; three in Knox County; five in Davidson County; and six deaths in Shelby County. 

Gov. Bill Lee declared a statewide state of emergency on Jan. 22, with President Donald Trump granting the emergency declaration on Jan. 24. The federal government expedited $11 million in relief funds to be shared among Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana. President Trump later approved an additional $60.6 million for the state of Tennessee but limited to 23 counties. Gov. Lee indicated more counties would be added to the request pending assessment.  

Funding will be available for the state and eligible local governments and certain nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities in Cheatham, Chester, Clay, Davidson, Hardin, Henderson, Hickman, Lewis, McNairy, Perry, Sumner, Trousdale, Wayne, and Williamson counties. Funds for emergency protective measures will be made available to Decatur, Dickson, Hardeman, Lawrence, Maury, Robertson, Rutherford, and Wilson counties. 

TEMA officials said they are “actively coordinating with local counties to assess and document damages to determine whether impacts meet the federal criteria necessary to request this type of assistance through a Major Disaster Declaration.” 

As power outages continued to plague residents, Gov. Bill Lee also signed Executive Order 111 granting Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) crews the ability to clear non-state roads and help local line workers restore power more quickly. 

To help with increased call volumes for missing persons and welfare checks in the wake of the storm, Metro Nashville encouraged residents to submit requests online to avoid straining 911 communications, while Tennesseans outside of Nashville were encouraged to contact a special hotline set up by TBI. TEMA also created a Tennessee Disaster Information Line to provide resources to those needing guidance and resources as issues like power outages and slick conditions remained.  

At its peak, more than 309,000 customers across the state were without power with the greatest impacts being 204,500 outages in and around Nashville. Tennessee ranked as the state with the highest number of power outages because of the storm. 

TVA reported the bulk power system remained stable but icing caused extensive damage to local distribution centers, requiring local power companies and linemen to work around the clock to restore service.  

Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell announced a Winter Storm Relief Fund to help address current and growing needs. The fund is a partnership between the United Way, the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, and Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster with O’Connell stating Brentwood-based Tractor Supply Company had kickstarted the fund with a $250,000 donation. 

In addition to power outages, TEMA Director Patrick Sheehan cautioned that depressurization leading to burst pipes could lead to drinking water issues. TEMA indicated water issues were reported in Clay, Davidson, Dickson, Hardeman, Hardin, Henderson, Hickman, Humphreys, Lewis, Maury, McNairy, Perry, Sumner, Trousdale, Wayne, and Wilson counties. These included water systems in Adamsville, Centerville, Columbia, Erin, Hartsville, Hohenwald, Lobelville, Linden, Nashville, Saltillo, Savannah, Selmer, and Waynesboro.  

TEMA reported 115 warming centers were opened by local governments and agencies statewide. In the days immediately following the storm, TEMA officials helped to coordinate and deliver 165 cots and blankets, more than 12,000 cases of water, 700 gallons of gasoline, 1,500 gallons of diesel fuel, 6 Starlinks to assist with communications, and 10,080 pounds of salt to impacted areas statewide.  

As freezing rain, dangerously low temperatures, and icy conditions continued, TDOT urged residents to stay off the roads. TDOT crews worked to treat more than 290,000 miles of road, cleared 300 trees, and responded to 861 incidents in the first two days of the storm alone.  

Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) also reported numerous vehicle wrecks in the wake of the storm. Two fatal car crashes were being investigated by THP with health officials to determine if the deaths were weather-related. THP handled 84 crashes involving injury and 400 crashes involving property damage, assisted 1,660 motorists, removed 198 abandoned vehicles and 326 roadway obstructions, and responded to 2 vehicle fires.  

Municipal offices across the state were closed Monday, Jan. 26, and Tuesday, Jan. 27, due to the conditions, with many communities delaying garbage pickup and putting focus on plowing, debris removal, and power restoration. Many cities also closed parks and recreation facilities, libraries, local bus services, and canceled meetings to encourage citizens to stay home.  

Gov. Bill Lee also ordered the closure of state offices Monday, asking employees to work from alternative locations if possible. The Tennessee General Assembly also closed Jan. 26 and Jan. 27.