Flash Report #2 Tornadoes and Severe Weather

Friday, May 10, 2024 | 04:35pm

HIGHLIGHTS

  •  The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville is activated at a Level 4 – Elevated to support local requests and monitor the ongoing severe weather impacting Tennessee.
  • Requests for assistance are being fulfilled.
  • Emergency Service Coordinators (ESCs) from TDOT, TDCI, TDH, THP, TN Department of Human Services, and more are monitoring the situation and standing by to provide assistance to local jurisdictions.
  • Crisis Cleanup has been activated for the whole state. If you need assistance with damage from the tornadoes and severe weather, at no cost, call the home cleanup hotline (615-488-1875) for help.

 

CURRENT SITUATION

Several rounds of significant severe weather impacted Tennessee on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. At this time, affected counties include Cannon, Carroll, Cheatham, Giles, Lincoln, Maury, Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Sumner, Warren, Weakley, and Wilson counties. TEMA has deployed personnel at the request of the counties and is coordinating with local
officials to assess damages and ensure life-safety needs are met. The National Weather Service (NWS) continues to survey the impacted areas for potential tornadoes. NWS has confirmed an EF-2 in Giles County, an EF-3 tornado in Maury County, an EF-1 in Robertson County, and an EF-0 in Rutherford County.   

 

POWER OUTAGES & UTILITIES

  • As of 1:00 p.m. on May 10, there are 6,150 reports of power outages statewide. Peak outages occurred yesterday, May 9, with 79,147 outages.
  • Woodbury Water System in Cannon County has issued a boil water advisory due to flooding at the water treatment plant affecting 11,327 customers.
  • East Fork Utility District in Overton County has issued a boil water advisory due to a main break affecting 150 customers.
  • Woodbury Municipal sewage plant in Cannon County has flooded and is currently inaccessible and inoperable. Impacts are being assessed.

 

SHELTERS

 

THP

  • THP is providing assistance with law enforcement responsibilities.

 

TDH

The Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed two weather-related fatalities:

o  One in Claiborne County

o  One in Maury County

 

TDOT

  • TDOT is continuing to monitor road conditions across the state and assist with debris removal. Current road closures include:

        o Montgomery County SR 123 LM 12.8, right lane is closed due to shoulder washed out

        o  Rutherford County SR 266 MM 18.6

        o  Sequatchie County Hwy 111 MM 3.3

  • There are intermittent lane closures throughout the state. Before you go out, check road conditions on TDOT’s SmartWay website.

PROTECTIVE ACTIONS/KEY MESSAGES

  • Do not enter damaged buildings or hazardous locations.
  • Do not drive through flooded roadways and walkways.
  • Ensure debris is properly sorted. Check with your county before sorting as some counties may have their own removal guidelines.
  • Hire only licensed contractors and do not pay the total amount before the work is complete. More tips for consumers after a disaster can be found here.
  • Avoid downed power lines.
  • If your house or property sustained damage, take pictures before cleanup efforts and contact your insurance company. Complaint line for insurance: (615) 741-2218 or 1-800-342-4029.
  • Crisis Cleanup has been activated for the whole state. If you need assistance with damage from the tornadoes, at no cost, call the home cleanup hotline (615-488-1875) for help.
  • Contact your local emergency management agency if you need immediate assistance.

 

FORECAST

Memphis: Clearing skies overnight. Low temperatures in the mid-50s. Northerly winds from 5-10mph, shifting westerly after midnight. High temperatures for Saturday in the upper 70s.

Nashville: Clearing skies overnight. Low temperatures in the lower 50s. Northerly winds from 5-10mph, shifting southwesterly after midnight. High temperatures for Saturday in the mid to upper 70s.

Knoxville: Clear skies, with fog possible near sunrise. Overnight low temperatures in the lower 50s. Northwesterly winds from 10-15mph, gusting up to 20mph, shifting southwesterly and light overnight. Winds increase to 10-15mph again by Saturday afternoon. High temperatures for Saturday in the mid-70s.

Chattanooga: Clear skies, with fog possible near sunrise. Overnight low temperatures in the lower 50s. Northerly winds from 10-15mph, gusting up to 20mph, becoming light overnight and shifting westerly after sunrise. Winds increase to 10-15mph again by Saturday afternoon. High temperatures for Saturday in the mid to upper 70s.