NASHVILLE – Nashville residents should avoid driving if possible today as ice and snow have made driving conditions dangerous.

“The roads are extremely dangerous this morning. If you can stay home, stay home,” said Mayor Karl Dean from the Emergency Operations Center. “Not only will that help you keep yourself and your family safe, but it will also give Public Works crews the space they need to treat and clear our roads.”

Mayor Dean and Metro officials will address the media on the ongoing winter weather 3 p.m. today at the Emergency Operations Center, 2060 15th Ave. S.

Precipitation is expected to continue falling until around noon today, making road clearing efforts difficult and driving treacherous.

Metro Public Works had crews working through the night to treat local primary and secondary roadways as the precipitation began to fall. Despite treating all primary roads, more sleet and snow has made clearing difficult. Neighborhood streets are expected to remain particularly slick today and tomorrow.

Nashville remains under a Winter Storm Warning until noon today. As of 8:45 a.m., the National Weather Service reported nearly 3 inches of snow at Nashville International Airport. More snow is expected throughout the morning.

Winds could also reach up to 25 mph, posing a threat to already weakened trees and power lines. High winds could also make visibility extremely difficult with blowing snow.

Residents should pay special attention to weather and street conditions today. Drivers should assess their personal safety and the road conditions where they live before deciding whether to venture forth.

If you don’t need to be out today, consider staying home.

Phone Lines

A reminder that residents must dial the “615” area code when calling Metro with non-emergency questions or to report hazards.

Roads

Metro Public Works crews are on 12-hour shifts and continue to treat primary and secondary roads. Crews are starting to make headway and roads are expected to improve as the precipitation slows this morning.

For more information on Metro Public Works’ winter preparedness operations and for winter weather driving tips, visit: http://www.nashville.gov/Public-Works/Getting-Around-Nashville/Snow.aspx.

Public Works’ hotline for emergency road needs is (615) 862-8750, extension 0.

Closings

Numerous Metro services have decided to close today. If you have appointments or business with the city, call ahead to check whether the department is open. Closings include:

• Metro Public Health Department and all department sites
• Metro Social Services
• Metro Schools
• Metro General Sessions Court
• Metro Parks’ community centers (regional)
• All three Metro Public Works convenience centers
• Juvenile Court, with the exception of preliminary hearings at 1:00 p.m. and detention dockets at 2:30 p.m.

All Metro Library branches other than the Main Branch at 615 Church St., which will have a delayed opening at 10 a.m. today

Regular trash and recycling pickup has been suspended today. Residents are asked to leave their bins out to allow for collection services once road conditions improve.

Cold Temperatures

The city will continue working with Nashville Rescue Mission, Room In The Inn and other community partners to make sure our homeless citizens won’t have to face the brutal cold outdoors.

While Metro believes that there are adequate beds for the homeless, Metro opened and staffed an additional overflow shelter at the Fairground last night. The city is prepared to open it again tonight if necessary.

In addition Flex Team officers with Metro Police’s Central Precinct have been exclusively looking for those who are homeless or have been caught out in the cold to offer transport to warm shelters.

If anyone sees a homeless person in need of help, call the non-emergency number of Metro Police at (615) 862-8600.

Transit

The Metropolitan Transit Authority is running snow routes today. If weather conditions worsen, MTA could limit or cancel services. Riders should become familiar with snow routes, which could be implemented if conditions worsen.

For information on snow routes and to stay up to date on service changes, visit their website, http://www.nashvillemta.org and follow them on social media.

Water

Metro Water Services has crews ready to deal with any water main issues that might arise due to freezing temperatures. There have been sporadic reports of flooding. Expect that roadways prone to flooding could still see some water.

If you come across a flooded roadway, do not attempt to cross it. Remember: Turn Around, Don’t Drown!

For water emergencies and to report water-covered roadways, call Metro Water’s 24-hour emergency hotline at (615) 862-4600.

Community Food Distribution

Families in need can pick up Emergency Food Boxes at the Martha O’Bryan Center today. Proof of residence in Davidson County is required.

Martha O’Bryan Center

711 South 7th Street

2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Warm Daytime Activities

Metro invites families looking for things to do or people just needing a warm place to city service facilities. Nashville Public Library’s main downtown branch will have a delayed opening at 10 a.m. today. Other branches will be closed.

The Nashville Farmers’ Market is open until 8 p.m. as a warming center, but food merchants will likely be closed.

These locations can be helpful for warmth and family activities during daytime hours, but please only go to these facilities if you can get there safely by driving, walking or using mass transit.

Power

Power outages remained in the single digits this morning. Still, winds, ice and snow could lead to downed branches and power lines. If you suffer an outage, please report it to NES as soon as possible by calling (615) 234-0000. If you are in distress because of an outage, call 9-1-1.

Assume any downed line you may come in contact with is a live power line. Do not approach downed lines. Instead call 9-1-1 immediately. Yellow caution tape may be used to block off locations affected by downed power lines. Do not approach those areas and never cross the yellow caution tape.

Check on Neighbors, Pets

It is again critical that residents check on neighbors who are homebound or who have special needs – particularly those who depend on food delivery or need prescription medicine.

Remember to take care of your pets as temperatures drop. Pets that must remain outdoors should have proper shelter, food and water.

Metro's Community Hotline will continue to be staffed 24 hours a day and can be reached by calling (615) 862-8750 and press 0 for all non-emergency, weather-related inquiries, the reporting of hazards and to request assistance. In case of an emergency, residents should call 9-1-1.

Agencies initially activated at the EOC including the following: Metro Office of Emergency Management, Metro Police, Davidson County Sheriff’s Office, Nashville Fire & EMS, Metro Public Works, Metro Water Services, Nashville Emergency Communications, Metro Schools, Metro Information Technology, Metro Planning/GIS, Nashville Electric Service and Metro Transit Authority.

Metro’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) continues to coordinate Metro departments in real time to keep the community safe during the winter storm.

Media should continue to utilize the Emergency Operations Center Media Line (615) 880-2990 for specific requests.

The NERVE (Nashville Emergency Response Viewing Engine) has been activated in coordination with this EOC activation. This new site will provide information about storm related road closures, any evacuation areas or routes, shelters and relief centers. This also includes a media tab with a Twitter feed and press releases. http://nerve.nashville.gov.