Statewide Severe Weather & Sevier County Wildfire

TEMA FLASH REPORT #2
Thursday, March 31, 2022 | 07:51am

HIGHLIGHTS

  • The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville will operate overnight to monitor the ongoing wildfire situation in Sevier County, and to respond to any local requests for assistance needed as the severe weather continues to press eastward across Tennessee.
  • Local, state, and federal firefighting assets and personnel remain in place in Sevier County assisting with evacuation mandates and response operations for a wildfire that’s grown to more than 1,000 acres.
  • Many West & Middle Tennessee counties reported some severe storm impacts from power outages, downed trees, a few flooded roads, and damage to structures.

CURRENT SITUATION

The potential for widespread severe weather impacts diminished this evening as the storm system moved through Middle Tennessee and crossed the Cumberland Plateau into East Tennessee.

A State of Emergency remains in place in Tennessee with the State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville staffing overnight with Emergency Service Coordinators from many State agencies and departments, and non-governmental organizations, supporting local efforts for both the severe storm and wildfires.

SEVERE STORM UPDATE

  • Carroll, Fayette, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, and Madison counties reported storms impacts to homes, businesses, and some county facilities and services. 
  • The Madison County Sheriff’s office has some damage and the county’s 9-1-1 experienced service disruption. Damage also reported at the West Region Health Department office building.  Carroll County’s Sheriff’s and 9-1-1 department are also operating on generator power. Other counties in the West Region reported power outages and downed trees.  The American Red Cross has opened a shelter at the Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson.
  • Middle Tennessee experienced some impact from the severe weather with power outages, downed trees, and some structural damage reported in Davidson, Stewart, Macon, Maury, Montgomery, and Williamson counties.

SEVIER COUNTY WILDFIRE UPDATE

  • High winds have preceded the actual storm front as it has crossed the state, and this has added to concerns in Sevier County and East Tennessee about existing and potential wildfire threats. 
  • Local, state, and federal fire crews continue to monitor the wildfire that’s spread to more than 1,000 acres in the Wears Valley community of Sevier County and damaged 35 structures. Sevier County and American Red Cross officials have helped more than 500 wildfire evacuees at the Pigeon Forge Community Center
  • Tennessee’s Fire Mutual Aid Network has coordinated additional fire resources, in the form of engine companies, brush trucks, and tenders, from Middle and Upper East Tennessee to assist crews in Sevier County with the fire response and evacuations.
  • The Tennessee National Guard, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and US Forest Service are also supporting the Sevier County wildfire response in deploying aerial firefighting assets to the area, placing assets on standby, and flying reconnaissance missions over the wildfire’s location.
  • The Tennessee Dept. of Health has confirmed one injury in Sevier County as a result of the wildfire.

POWER OUTAGES

Power outages, as of 11 p.m., Central, are 38,700 statewide, with 500 in Anderson County; 1,000 in Bedford; 2,000 in Blount; 1,600 in Bradley; 3,250 in Cumberland; 3,700 in Davidson; 2,400 in Jefferson; 650 in Knox; 11,250 in Madison; 400 in Moore; 750 in Rhea; 700 in Rutherford; 2,000 in Sevier; 2,100 in Shelby; and 900 in Trousdale.  Lawrence County is fully restored with Fayette, Hardiman, and Sumner counties each below 500 outages. 

KEY MESSAGES

  • Monitor local news sources for updates on weather forecasts, and for any weather watches or warnings issued for your area.
  • Have multiple options to receive weather information and emergency instructions.
  • Follow the instructions of emergency officials and be ready to take cover in a severe weather situation, and to evacuate if mandated.
  • Do not drive or walk through any high water – Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
  • Do not attempt to move any downed power lines. Instead contact your local power company to report the damage or call 9-1-1 if it is an emergency situation.

 

WEATHER FORECAST

  • Memphis:  Partly sunny and cooler tomorrow with a high of 59.
  • Nashville:  Cooler tomorrow with periods of sun and a high of 60.
  • Knoxville: Morning thunderstorm tomorrow with a high of 69.
  • Chattanooga: Sunny tomorrow and not as warm with a high of 69.