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Tennessee Emergency Management Agency reported a low-level state of emergency as of Friday afternoon, according to the agency. Gov. Bill Lee had not publicly issued a statement or executive order on the activation stage as of 12:30 p.m.
At a level three, the stage TEMA reported its activation just after noon, the agency can implement statewide emergency operations and public warnings in response to a serious emergency or minor disaster.
Nashville had not declared a state of emergency as of noon; Memphis did earlier in the day.
Grid stabilized after rolling blackouts ordered by TVA
Middle Tennessee power providers, including Nashville, were ordered to perform rolling 10- to 15-minute blackouts to stabilize the power grid beginning around 11 a.m. as temperatures hover at 0°F.
Several electric companies reported the order was rescinded just before noon, after at least one round of disruptions was performed in Nashville.
The Tennessee Valley Authority directed all utility power distributors in the Tennessee Valley to drop 5% of its electricity load immediately on Friday morning, Nashville Electric Service said.
NES customers were told to expect rotating, intermittent power outages in roughly 10-minute increments every 1.5 – 2 hours as the regional power grid struggles with the subzero temperatures after Thursday’s winter storm.
As of 1 p.m., more than 55,000 NES customers were without power. The reports were spread out in bunches across the metro Nashville area.
Cold weather and power outage tips:TVA has ordered rolling blackouts, here’s what to do to stay safe during a power outage in winter weather
Dickson Electric System General Manager Darrell Gillespie described the power usage situation as “very critical” for the utility’s 36,000 customers in five counties, including Dickson, Hickman, Cheatham, Houston and Montgomery. All outages were restored by about 1:30 p.m. Friday in the service areas, according to Gillespie.
Critical loads, like hospitals and water treatment plants are not be included in outages like this, he said.
“We are turning breakers off for customers. Then, in 15 minutes we turn them back on. But before we turn them on, we turn someone else off,” Gillespie said.
Gillespie said a possible further complication going forward is the blackout could last longer than anticipated.
“Unfortunately, with weather at 0 and 1 degree, sometimes if you turn that power off, you can’t get it to come back on. We are experiencing that right now as well.
“That’s a real challenge for us to be able to bring those loads back on. But we have no choice.”
Temperatures plummeted overnight turning rain into snow showers across Nashville and Middle Tennessee.
Earlier in the day, NES reported precipitation and high winds damage power poles and other equipment and electricity lines across the service area. The National Weather Service reported the temperature at 0°F at 10 a.m.
Wind chill warning expires; frigid temperatures remain
Roads were slick and covered in snow in many places, according to the NWS.
A dramatic shift about 8 p.m. dropped temperatures 10 degrees in about 15 minutes, brought on fierce winds and the first snow of the winter.
The National Weather Service in Nashville let a wind chill warning for most of the area expire at noon Friday, but advised Tennesseans to stay inside and cover any exposed skin if they had to go out.
A wind chill warning is issued when the temperatures dip below -15 °F, the NWS told The Tennessean. Although the day had warmed enough to move up from the cut off, the agency warned outdoor temps would still be brutally cold, likely between -5 to -15 °F on Friday.
“The temperature at Nashville has dropped to -1°F. This is the first time we’ve been below zero since 2/5/1996,” the NWS tweeted on Friday morning.
Believe it or not, the bone-chilling temperatures won’t break the record low for Dec. 23 which was -8°F, set in 1989.
Look back:What was Nashville’s coldest day on record?
Nashville’s wintry weather continues tomorrow and through weekend
Wind chill temperatures are expected to remain below zero through Saturday morning, and possibly Sunday, the NWS said. Air temperatures will remain at or below freezing through Monday.
In depth:What is wind chill and what makes it dangerous?
Gusty winds up to 40 mph will cause wind chills to drop as low as 25 degrees below zero at times early this morning, NWS forecasters say.
Power outages, dangerous roads, canceled flights on Friday morning
“Troopers are seeing improving road conditions however, there are still icy spots on some interstates and state routes,” The Tennessee Highway Patrol in Nashville tweeted Friday morning.
The Nashville Department of Transportation said in a tweet that all primary and secondary roads have been treated but frigid temperatures prevented them from clearing many roads across the city.
“Such cold wind chills could rapidly cause hypothermia, as well as cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes,” a NWS statement said.
Dangerously cold temperatures will continue across Middle Tennessee through early Monday, with lows in the single digits and high temperatures only in the 10s and 20s.
Nashville trafficIcy roads, interstate slowdowns but few injuries after Nashville snow
“Stay off roads if you can, use extreme caution if you must drive. Staff will continue monitoring conditions and crews will be out treating roads throughout the day,” NDOT tweeted.
“Don’t travel if you don’t have to. If you do travel, pack blankets, coats, and gloves in case of an emergency,” NWS said.
Nashville airport reported more than 30 canceled flights as of 9 a.m., with several others delayed due to weather concerns.
The airport urged customers to check with their airlines before heading out.
“BNA works diligently to keep the airfield, gate areas, and airport roadways clear and operational,” they said on social media.
Nashville area radar
Nashville weather forecast
Friday: Partly sunny with a high near 14 with wind chill values as low as -19. Low around 6.
Saturday: Mostly sunny with a high near 25 and wind chill as low as -8. Low around 11.
Christmas Day: Sunny with a high near 26, low around 15.
Monday: Mostly cloudy with a high near 32, low around 21.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 40, low around 25.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50, low around 37.