TEMA declares snowstorm typical but something to prepare for
TEMA leaders declared a Level 4 state of emergency ahead of Friday’s snowstorm.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Leaders with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency held a briefing at their main office Wednesday to break down their plan to help people stay are safe during the snowstorm expected Friday.
TEMA leaders said because the National Weather Service in Memphis and Nashville had issued a winter weather warning, their agency jumped into action.
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To start off their Wednesday weather briefing, TEMA Director Patrick Sheehan announced that ice wouldn’t be much of an issue.
“We’re going to have pretty heavy snowfall,” Sheehan said.
Anywhere from 2-7″ of snow is what Sheehan said the agency was already preparing for.
“The areas that I’m mostly concerned about are the areas that are curvier or hillier roads that are harder to access anyway,” Sheehan said.
TEMA leaders said they declared a Level 4 state of emergency, meaning the department is in preparation and assessment mode.
They assured people that Friday’s weather was more of a typical winter storm.
“There’s no reason to panic. We have the luxury of time; the forecast is pretty consistent at this point, so prepare now,” Sheehan said.
For drivers, Sheehan said cars should be prepared with things like blankets, gloves, sand, and cat litter to create friction on sliding wheels.
Kenneth Elliott, a Nashville resident and driver, said he just didn’t want a repeat of the 2024 winter storm road conditions.
“It was pretty rough,” Elliott said.
Elliot said he worked at a local homeless shelter and said roads weren’t the only issue during winter storms.
“We get people every year, some of the homeless people they die out there in the cold and we try to get them all in, as many as we can,” Elliott said.
TEMA announced that warming shelters were open as of Wednesday and a list of locations are available on the TEMA website.
Sheehan said the best thing people could do was prepare their cars, homes and spread the word.
“Make sure you have a plan, and you’re taking action to check on your family members and your neighbors,” Sheehan said.
TEMA leader said as of Wednesday, state and city trucks were already out pre-treating roads and gearing up for possible hours of snow plowing.
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