NASHVILLE – With the brunt of the winter weather behind, the city is seeing significant improvement in conditions outside.
“Nashvillians deserve our praise for their cooperation and patience throughout this winter weather,” said Mayor Karl Dean from the Emergency Operations Center. “While we’re still expecting some slippery roads and cold temperatures today, we’re hopeful that we’re nearing the end of this.”
Mayor Dean and Metro officials will address the media on the ongoing winter weather 1:30 p.m. today at the Emergency Operations Center, 2060 15th Ave. S.
Metro Public Works had crews working through the night to treat local primary and secondary roadways as the precipitation began to fall. They were able to make substantial progress and could begin working on some neighborhood streets later today.
Still, some secondary and many neighborhood streets may still be slippery with ice and snow. And extreme cold could bring the possibility of black ice. Drivers should assess their personal safety and the road conditions where they live before deciding whether to venture forth.
With some sunlight and temperatures expected to reach the low 30s, roads could see dramatic improvements as the day goes on.
Temperatures remain cold in Nashville this morning and residents should consider limiting their time spent outdoors, particularly those with respiratory issues.
Phone Lines
A reminder that residents must dial the “615” area code when calling Metro with non-emergency questions or to report hazards.
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 will keep an additional overflow shelter at the Fairground. The city is prepared to open it again tonight if necessary.
The Office of Emergency Management will begin running Cold Patrols form 8 p.m.-1 a.m. again tonight, offering transport to warm shelter for the homeless and anyone else caught out in the cold. In addition Flex Team officers with Metro Police’s Central Precinct will continue to exclusively look 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.
Community Food Distribution
The Mayor’s Office, in partnership with Metro Schools, Second Harvest Food Bank, Metro Parks, and other community agencies, is opening food distribution locations for Metro school families and other residents who are in need of emergency food boxes. Household members must show proof of residence in Davidson County.
The following locations will be open Friday:
Coleman Regional Center
384 Thompson Lane
615-862-8445
1-5 p.m.
Hadley Regional Center
1037 28th Avenue North
615-862-8451
1-5 p.m.
Hartman Regional Center
2801 Tucker Road
615-862-8479
1-5 p.m.
Napier Community Center
73 Fairfield Avenue
615-256-4474
1-5 p.m.
Southeast Community Center
5260 Hickory Hollow Parkway Suite 202
615-862-8902
1-5 p.m.
Watkins Community Center
616 17th Avenue North
615-862-8468
1-5 p.m.
Martha O’Bryan Center
711 South 7th Street
615-254-1791
2-5 p.m.
St. Paul's Lutheran Church
1628 Rosa Parks Blvd
615-242-3156
8:30-11 a.m.
The following locations will be open Saturday:
Coleman Regional Center
384 Thompson Lane
615-862-8445
8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Hadley Regional Center
1037 28th Avenue North
615-862-8451
8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Hartman Regional Center
2801 Tucker Road
615-862-8479
8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Southeast Community Center
5260 Hickory Hollow Parkway Suite 202
615-862-8902
8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Hamilton United Methodist Church
3105 Hamilton Church Road
615-361-7210
9 a.m.–noon
Temple Baptist Church
3720 Kings Lane
615-876-7656
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Kayne Avenue Baptist
1025 12th Avenue South
615-255-5528
10 a.m.–2 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 may be limited.
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.
Roads
Metro Public Works crews will remain on 12-hour shifts through the night to treat primary and secondary roads. 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.
Transit
The Metropolitan Transit Authority is running snow routes today. If weather conditions improve this afternoon, MTA may return to regular routes.
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.
Power
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.