Chattanooga's public works department is treating roads and has thousands of tons of salt on standby as the region braces for snowfall.
"Stay home," Rick Boatwright, deputy chief of operations at the Chattanooga Fire Department, advised residents in an interview Sunday. "Don't go out unless you just have to. Try to get prepared today. Don't wait until the last minute. That's the main thing that they need to do."
Hamilton, Bradley and Polk counties are under a winter storm warning through 7 a.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown. The agency predicts snowfall of 2 to 4 inches with some ice accumulation.
(READ MORE: Cold snap, chance of snow on the way for Chattanooga area next week)
Roads may deteriorate as Monday wears on, the agency said, and hazardous conditions could impact morning and evening commutes.
At its facility off East 11th Street, the city has a warehouse containing a mountain of salt, and Chattanooga has 5,000 tons ready to go, Public Works Administrator Ross Pitcairn said in an interview.
Since 7 a.m. Sunday, city trucks have been spreading gallons of brine, a mixture of salt and water, on bridges and roadways where there's the greatest risk of ice buildup, Pitcairn said. The city uses brine to help prevent ice from forming.
"When you add salt to water, it changes the characteristics and it no longer freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit" Pitcairn said. "It takes it a lot colder to freeze."
On Monday morning, Pitcairn said, crews will likely begin laying down salt and sand along city streets. That process could take all Monday, and crews may reapply the mixture if snow persists. Brine usually acts as a preventative measure, Pitcairn said. The salt and sand mixture tends to be more effective at keeping ice from developing.
Trucks will focus on primary routes such as Lee Highway, East Brainerd Road or McCallie Avenue before proceeding to secondary streets, he said.
"Throughout this whole process, we are making sure that access to the hospitals, police stations, fire stations are open," Pitcairn said, "so if there's any emergency situations, our fire folks and police folks can get to where they need to be."
On Sunday, the city had nine trucks spreading brine on roadways, and by Monday, there will be up to 18 vehicles ready to apply the salt and sand mixture, Pitcairn said.
"They will be doing probably continuous operations as long as the roads need to be treated," Pitcairn said.
Pitcairn and Boatwright advise residents to watch out for patches of ice and avoid any downed powerlines. People who normally park along the side of the road should ensure emergency vehicles and salt trucks can still access their neighborhoods.
"The best thing to do is to stay home," Pitcairn said.
Contact David Floyd at dfloyd@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6249.