The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency released the following report Saturday evening, Feb. 21, 2015:
CURRENT SITUATION
Tennessee has elevated to a Level II-State of Emergency due to the major impacts to infrastructure, power and roads as a result of the overnight snow and ice storm and the current heavy rain in the state.
The heaviest impacts are in the Cumberland Plateau area of Tennessee with heavy damage reports and power outages in Cumberland, Fentress, Overton, Putnam and White counties.
Claiborne County EMA is reporting a number of roof collapses but no reports of injuries. Monterey water plant in Putnam County has requested a generator for power needs. The SEOC is working to fulfill this request.
West Tennessee is reporting scattered rain and possible icing conditions, with scattered power outages. The weather forecast is calling for the rain to move out overnight Saturday. It will still be windy and cold making travel hazardous on Interstates and increasing the likelihood of more power outages.
RESPONSE ACTIONS
TEMA’s East, Middle and West region offices continue to poll counties for status updates and requests for assistance.
Tennessee National Guard has five Humvee teams, with 10 staff members deployed to the Cumberland Plateau to work wellness checks. The National Guard also has opened a shelter at its Armory in Sparta.
Tennessee Highway Patrol is conducting life safety checks.
Tennessee Division of Forestry has 20 chainsaw crews working in Putnam and Cumberland counties to clear debris. Another three crews are in Morgan County and another four crews are in Scott County. TDOT and VOAD also are assisting with chainsaw crews.
The American Red Cross and Tennessee Department of Human Services are identifying needs for mass sheltering due to power outages and mass feeding missions.
TEMA has set up a Shelter Management Task Force and a Debris Management Task Force to work with key state and private sector partners to identify areas of priority and dispatch personnel.
Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency is doing wellness checks along I-40 on the Cumberland Plateau, and in White County.
Tennessee State Parks reports trees down and power issues at Fall Creek Falls, Duck Island, Pickett and Cumberland Mountain state parks.
Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability is sending a support team to the Jamestown Community Center.
Power Outages
Power outages are around 48,000 customers statewide with 44,000 in the Cumberland Plateau area alone.
Shelters Open (10)
• Overton County-Livingston-First Baptist Church; Crawford-Wilson Elementary School; Crawford-Mountain View Fire Department (Staging Area Only) • Putnam County-Cookeville-First United Methodist Church; Monterey-First Baptist Church • Cumberland County-Crossville-Cumberland Fellowship Baptist Church • White County-Sparta-National Guard • Fentress County-Jamestown-Jamestown Community Center; Jamestown-First Baptist Church, Signature Health Care of Fentress County
Fatalities(Since Feb. 16, 2015)
Tennessee has 18, confirmed, weather-related fatalities:
• Benton County – One (1) fatality: 64-year-old female, motor vehicle accident • Hamilton County – One (1) fatality: 63-year-old male, hypothermia related • Henry County – Two (2) fatalities: 64-year-old female, hypothermia related; 69-year-old male, hypothermia related • Hickman County (1) fatality: 67-year-old male, dialysis patient, unable to get to treatment • Knox County – Four (4) fatalities: 30-year-old male, motor vehicle accident; 75-year-old male, fire; 68-year-old female, fire; 47-year-old male, fire • Moore County – One (1) fatality: 73-year-old male, hypothermia • Overton County – One (1) fatality: 38-year-old female, motor vehicle accident • Roane County – One (1) fatality, 44-year-old male, hypothermia related • Sequatchie – One (1) fatality, 85-year-old male, hypothermia related • Shelby County – Three (3) fatalities: 48-year-old male, hypothermia related; (age unknown) male, hypothermia related; (age unknown) male, hypothermia related • Williamson County – Two (2) fatalities: 34-year-old female; 10-year-old male, motor vehicle accident
State Agencies working the storm response include: Environment & Conservation, Finance & Administration, General Services, Health, Human Services, National Guard, Tennessee Commissioner on Aging, Tennessee Division of Forestry, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Department of Transportation, Tennessee State Parks, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Volunteer Tennessee. Response support is also being provided from the American Red Cross, FEMA, National Weather Service, Tennessee Valley Authority and Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster.