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Cajun's Wharf and Chucky P's B-day
Besides the popular Big Swinging Deck Party, DJ Chucky P celebrated his birthday too! Thursday, June 7
A City of Chattanooga Public Works truck spreads a brine solution on the road surface on Broad Market Street on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015, in downtown Chattanooga in preparation for an overnight winter weather forecast in the area. NICK AUSTIN'S FORECAST
TODAY: High 34, low 22, snow, rain, icy TUESDAY: High 36, low 17, few flurries WEDNESDAY: High 30, low 5, light snow, very cold THURSDAY: High 28, low 8, fair, very cold FRIDAY: High 34, low 25, partly cloudy SATURDAY: High 41, low 36, snow to rain SUNDAY: High 45, low 32, rainy Prepared by: Nick Austin, WRCB-Channel 3
Story updated at noon.
This story will be updated throughout the day with news as it breaks.
Counties affected:
TENNESSEE: Rhea Meigs McMinn Northwest Monroe Hamilton Bradley West Polk GEORGIA: Dade Walker Catoosa Whitfield Murray Fannin Gilmer Union Towns Pickens Dawson Lumpkin White
Delays and cancellations
City of Chattanooga buildings, including The Public Library and all its branches - closed University of Tennessee at Chattanooga - closed Lee University - closed Southern Adventist University - closed Hamilton County schools, including school age child care - closed Dade County Schools - closed All Hamilton County courts - closed Cleveland State all locations - closed Georgia Northwestern Technical College (day and evening classes on all campuses) - closed North Georgia Health District - closed Fannin County Health Department - closed Gilme County Health Department - closed Murray County Health Department - closed Pickens County Health Department - closed Whitfield County Health Department - closed McCallie Alumni Lunch - now March 26 Walker County Transit - closed Monday, Feb. 16 12th Annual Mardi Gras on Market - postponed Meigs County Schools - closed
National coverage
For national coverage of this historic storm, click here.
A taste of the frozen torment that has socked New England for weeks is expected to touch Chattanooga today, bringing icy roads, snow and the coldest temperatures of the season so far.
Local emergency responders said they were warned to be prepared for freezing rain that could accumulate into a quarter-inch of ice on power lines and trees.
"We don't see a large problem with people getting to work, but it could be pretty difficult getting back home," said Justin Holland, deputy administrator with Chattanooga Public Works.
The National Weather Service in Morristown, Tenn., put out a winter storm warning for rain and sleet until 7 a.m. Tuesday. The warning is for the weather service's entire coverage area from the Ohio Valley to North Georgia, said meteorologist Jessica Winston.
Schools already were closed for Presidents Day, but Chattanooga city offices and many other agencies will be closed. Those who can are urged to stay home and avoid the slick streets.
"It doesn't look good, but it could be worse," said WRCB-Channel 3 Chief Meteorologist Paul Barys. "At least it's not super windy but there's still a chance for power lines to go down."
But when the sleet and snow blow out, bone-chilling cold is expected to follow. Highs Wednesday and Thursday won't touch the freezing mark, and lows will be in the single digits.
While lines at the Brainerd Wal-Mart curved around corners with people loading up on groceries and Ace Hardware in Lookout Mountain saw double the normal amount of customers coming for heaters and ice melt, well-practiced local responders began putting their snow plan into gear.
State, county and city highway departments started dispatching trucks as early as Friday to brine roadways with a salty mixture that causes snow to melt.
Holland said his crews began applying salt brine early Sunday to major streets and bridges as well as routes to hospitals and fire and police stations.
"We expect salt brine will have some effect to slow the impact, but the situation is expected to deteriorate pretty quickly between 7 and 9 a.m," he said. Trucks loaded with rock salt and sand are staged throughout the city to help in case of medical emergencies, he said.
Once the major streets are cleared, crews will move into residential areas, but Holland couldn't predict when that will happen.
In Georgia, Gov. Nathan Deal declared a state of emergency in 15 northern counties, including Catoosa, Dade, Walker and Whitfield.
Deal said in a news release the move opens up state resources for disaster preparedness in areas expecting ice, though he noted the forecasts were still evolving Sunday night.
"I am issuing this order out of an abundance of caution, so the state can make all preparations necessary to quickly and efficiently address any potential winter weather problems," said Deal. "We will monitor the weather throughout the night and allocate state resources as needed should ice formation creep further south into the metro area."
If ice comes, Chattanooga plans to be ready.
Some TVA workers manning power centers will stay in motels to make sure they are safe and able to assist in case the ice causes power outages. EPB said it is watching and is prepared to increase field workers if outages occur.
Hamilton County government had two trucks on Signal Mountain on Sunday and another scheduled to go up at 3 a.m. today, and Holland said the city will be working to keep Missionary Ridge and Big Ridge accessible as well.
The county has 10 trucks ready to assist in case of need, said Mike Dunne, Hamilton County government's communications manager.
The Hamilton County Schools Central Office will be closed today. Maintenance employees will report on regular schedule.
All Walker County government offices will close at noon because of worsening weather conditions.
The Blue Ridge Career Center, Dalton Career Center, Habersham Career Center in Cornelia, and Lafayette Career Center are all closed today.
The American Red Cross has set up a basic temporary shelter at the Monteagle 911 center located at 173 College St. in Monteagle. They have overnight and meal accommodations available, a news release said.
The District 6-AA basketball games scheduled for today at Red Bank have been postponed.
All games will now be played on Tuesday. The schedule:
District 6-AA tournament at Red Bank
Girls' consolation, East Ridge vs. Tyner, 3:30
Boys' consolation, Hixson vs. Red Bank, 5
Girls' championship, Central vs. Brainerd, 6:30
Boys' championship, Central vs. Brainerd, 8
Contact staff writer Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com or 757-6431.
Report closings to news@timesfreepress.com.
Cold weather car tips from AAA
1. Check anti-freeze to see that it protects the engine down to -30 F.2. If the battery is weak or more than three years old, consider replacing it.3. Put winter-blended windshield washer fluid in the reservoir so that the windshield can be cleaned at critical times without icing up.4. Fill the gas tank to help avoid fuel line freeze-up.5. If the tire pressures are low, fill them up today the extreme cold weather will make them dangerously underinflated tomorrow.6. If not possible to park the car in a garage, consider covering the windshield with a blanket or some other large cloth, anchoring it in the doors and under the windshield wipers. This can eliminate manually scraping ice off the windshield tomorrow, or waiting long times for the engine and defroster to clear the ice.7. Consider what to take inside from the car tonight: portable electronic items may be damaged by extreme cold and containers of water or other fluids may freeze and then burst when warmed up tomorrow.8. It will be tempting to start the engine tomorrow morning and let it idle to warm up the car. Some automotive experts approve of that, others don't, but in any case remember that other car systems suspension, braking, hydraulic, electronic, tires will not have warmed up when the car first starts moving. Travel at moderate speeds the first couple of miles to let the entire car warm up.9. If a motorist becomes stranded, there are no absolutely guaranteed ways to stay safe, but AAA recommends that it is best to stay with the vehicle. If the engine can be started, run it only long enough to keep warm. Make sure the exhaust pipe is snow-free. Always travel with a cell phone and car charger.
Cold-proofing home tips from State Farm
* Insulate pipes in the crawl spaces and attic * Heat tape or heat cables can be used to wrap pipes * Seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located with caulk or insulation * Disconnect garden hoses * A trickle of both hot and cold water can keep pipes from freezing * Keep thermostat up at night, no lower than 55 degrees. * Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to un-insulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls * If pipes freeze, leave faucets turned on and call a plumber * If pipes burst, turn off water at main shutoff valve in the house, leave the water faucets turned on.