NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Several agencies across Middle Tennessee have geared up for the upcoming winter weather.
Nashville
After streets are pre-treated in Nashville, the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) told News 2 workers will be on standby to salt and plow roadways when snow comes in Friday morning.
“We’ve got more snowplows ready to go on more routes than ever before,” Mayor O’Connell said in a press release. “My hope is all Nashvillians will stay weather-aware, and exercise patience. If we do have a winter storm event, we will be ready.”
NDOT says they have 40 snow plows ready. Follow this link to view a searchable map of NDOT’s snow routes, which lists primary, secondary and post-secondary priority routes.
Murfreesboro
With a new investment, the City of Murfreesboro will soon have 22 snow plows.
“With the order we just put in, not only do I have enough plows in there to replace our existing plows that goes on our dump trucks, but we are starting to equip some of our heavier pick up trucks with plows,” Raymond Hillis, Murfreesboro Public Works Executive Director, said.
As in Nashville, crews will work in 12-hour shifts to make sure all roads are safe. Murfreesboro Public Works says their department has grown from about 10 employees several years ago to about 50 employees.
Clarksville
The city of Clarksville shared a map of the city’s snow removal routes and routine priority procedures with residents Wednesday. Follow this link to see the color-coded map. The Clarksville Police Department previously advised all residents to avoid unnecessary travel during the winter weather event
Williamson County
Williamson County has also coordinated with first responders to get ready for the winter weather. As of publication, their emergency operation center is at a level 4 out of 5, with level 1 being the most activated. Their biggest concern is transportation, with two major interstates – Interstate 840 and Interstate 65 – running through the county.
On Jan. 6, roads in Franklin caused multiple crashes. With that fresh in everyone’s minds, external affairs officer with the Williamson County EMA Jill Burgin advised families to stay home if they can. She said residents should also be prepared for possible power outages by having plenty of water, blankets, electronic devices that are charged, and an external heat source if possible.
Burgin said each municipality in Williamson County has their own transportation plan and the EMA will assist when needed. In the past, they’ve even helped drive essential employees to work.
Burgin advised people to not wait to get everything you need ready until the last minute.
“Don’t let your gas get too low in your car… Go ahead and get gas now, be ready in case you do need to leave the house for any reason,” Burgin said. But it’s the little things… don’t put off until tomorrow what you can take care of today is a good rule of thumb.”
Williamson County EMA said they’re assembling resources like portable heaters, UTVs and extra handheld radios to ensure they’ll be able to communicate with first responders going out to calls over the next few days. The city of Brentwood also recommends checking smoke detectors, bringing pets inside, and letting faucets drip to help prevent frozen pipes.
Sumner County
Sumner County is also getting the roads brined and salted for this upcoming winter storm, but officials say to expect slick roads in Sumner County no matter what and plan ahead with all the supplies you need in case of any power outages.
“Make sure they [Sumner County residents] have an external heat source, make sure they’re devices are charged just in case… even more so than that, make sure you have all the medications that you need right now because obviously the roads are going to be undriveable in certain times in certain cases so just make sure you have all the medicine that you need,” Jackson Boyd, a Sumner County EMS Captain.
The Hendersonville Fire Department said if you must travel, prepare an emergency kit with items in case you get stuck in cold and snowy conditions, but the best thing you can do is avoid travel and stay home.
Spring Hill
The City of Spring Hill shared a map of snow routes to residents via their Facebook page, advising those in the area that subdivisions would not be cleared.
Don’t forget to take the power and reliability of the WKRN Weather Authority with you at all times by downloading the News 2 Storm Tracker app.
