February 3 Winter Storm Fern Update

The Nashville Office of Emergency Management (OEM) continues to urge people to seek shelter if they are without power.

OEM in partnership with the American Red Cross, Nashville Fire Department, Metro Social Services (MSS), Office of Homeless Services (OHS), Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), Davidson County Sherriff's Office, WeGo Transit and the VOAD are working to consolidate warming shelters.

Trained workers spent time talking to clients at the Fairgrounds shelter to determine what are the best resources for people still at the warming shelters.

Teams worked with families who could return home with support from the Red Cross. This included verifying the family home had electricity and it was safe to stay in the home.

Resources include:

• Financial assistance for food, clothing and other storm-related losses
• Referrals to licensed contractors for home repairs, including electrical
• Other recovery-related support resources.

OHS and MSS worked with members of our unhoused community at the Fairgrounds Shelter to identify more specialized established resources:

These include:

• Housing options
• Medical care
• Behavioral Health services
• Other supportive services, based on individual needs.

Warming Shelters are still available 24/7, with overnight accommodation and access to food:

• Southeast Regional Community Center: 5260 Hickory Hollow Parkway, Suite 202, Antioch, TN 37013
• Madison Community Center: 550 N Dupont Avenue, Madison, TN 37115
• Bellevue Community Center: 7638A Highway 70 South, Nashville, TN 37221

NFD, MNPD and Department of Emergency Communications (DEC) continue to provide safe transportation to area Warming Locations for Davidson County residents as needed.

Pets are allowed to be brought to the locations. You are requested to bring a crate for your pet.

Transportation requests will be handled as resources allow, with priority given to those most vulnerable to extreme cold.

To request transportation call 615-401-1712. DEC personnel answering the hotline have access to interpreters so anyone, regardless of the language they speak, can request assistance getting to a warm, safe location. They will also work to get you back home when your power is restored.

Please be prepared to provide:

• Your name
• Your current location
• The number of people needing transportation
• Are there special needs or mobility concerns?
• Do you have pets? (pets are allowed for transportation)

The Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), The United Way and Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, announced The Winter Weather Relief Fund for individuals and families affected by the storm to apply for relief.

Funds will be used as needed to address current needs and emerging needs, such as food and supplies. In the coming days, once community needs can be assessed, funds will be used for cleanup and debris removal.

Winter Weather Relief Fund

United Way Greater Nashville

Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee

Generator Distribution

We are also working closely with our VOAD partners to identify families who may be able to return home with the assistance of a generator.

Distribution of generators is ongoing and remains a priority.

If you have an unmet need, including a generator, call the United Way's 2-1-1 hotline for available resources and support. 2-1-1 is a free and confidential service that helps connect people to local resources available to help in times of crisis and beyond.

Dial 2-1-1 or text your ZIP code to 898-211 to get started.

VOAD also launched their needs tracker for Davidson County residents where they can put in their needs, damage information and resources needed. The needs tracker is at NashvilleResponds.com.

Generator Safety

Nashville Fire Department Generator Safety Video

Nashville Fire Department Generator Safety Video (Spanish)

The primary hazards to avoid when using a generator are carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust, electric shock or electrocution, and fire. Follow the directions supplied with the generator.

• To avoid electrocution, keep the generator dry and do not use in rain or wet conditions. Operate it on a dry surface under an open canopy-like structure, such as under a tarp held up on poles. Do not touch the generator with wet hands.
• Be sure to turn the generator off and let it cool down before refueling. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could ignite.
• Store fuel for the generator in an approved safety can. Use the type of fuel recommended in the instructions or on the label on the generator.

Local laws may restrict the amount of fuel you may store, or the storage location. Ask your local fire department.

Store the fuel outside of living areas in a locked shed or other protected area. To guard against accidental fire, do not store it near a fuel-burning appliance, such as a natural gas water heater in a garage.

• Plug appliances directly into the generator, or use a heavy duty, outdoor-rated extension cord that is rated (in watts or amps) at least equal to the sum of the connected appliance loads.
• Check that the entire cord is free of cuts or tears and that the plug has all three prongs, especially a grounding pin.
• Never try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet. Known as "backfeeding," this practice puts utility workers, your neighbors and your household at risk of electrocution.
• Remember, even a properly connected portable generator can become overloaded, resulting in overheating or generator failure. Be sure to read the instructions.
• If necessary, stagger the operating times for various equipment to prevent overloads.

Power Restoration Safety

You can check to see if a business is licensed/bonded by checking with Metro Codes at 615-862-6560.

Restoring electricity after structural or electrical damage requires careful steps to prevent fires, injuries, and additional property damage. Metro Codes and Building Safety provides 24-hour assistance for emergency electrical reconnects when outages or destruction of electrical service occur.

How to Safely Restore Power After Building Damage

If a building has sustained electrical damage, property owners must secure the services of a licensed electrical contractor to complete repairs. Contractors should always be verified as properly licensed before work begins.

To have electrical service restored by Nashville Electric Service (NES), the following steps must be completed:

1. Secure a licensed electrical contractor to make all necessary repairs to the electrical system.
2. After repairs are completed, the contractor contacts the on-duty Metro Codes Electrical Inspector to request an inspection.
3. Metro Codes will immediately conduct a virtual inspection of the repaired electrical work.
4. Once the work is approved, Metro Codes issues a required release number to NES, allowing electrical service to be restored.

After the release number has been issued, all remaining steps are handled by Nashville Electric Service.

For updates following the issuance of a release number, contact NES directly at 615-736-6900.

Tips to Avoid Electrical Hazards During Reconnection

When a building is reconnected to the power grid, voltage spikes may occur, potentially damaging electrical components and increasing the risk of fire.

Residents and property owners are urged to follow these safety precautions:

• Leave the main electrical breaker turned off and unplug all appliances before power is restored.
• Once power is restored, reenergize appliances one at a time.
• Disconnect any generators or external power sources connected to the electrical system, as these create serious fire hazards and can delay power restoration.

The Nashville Fire Department stresses that improper electrical reconnection can lead to dangerous conditions.

Property Owner Responsibility

Property owner responsibility begins at the point where Nashville Electric Service connects service drop wires from the electric pole and transformer to the building, including the service riser and meter base.

Any damage to the electrical system from that point to the breaker panel or fuse box must be repaired by a licensed electrical contractor at the property owner's expense before power can be restored.

The Nashville Office of Emergency Management, Metro Codes and Building Safety, and the Nashville Fire Department thank residents for their patience and cooperation as restoration efforts continue and encourage everyone to take the necessary steps to ensure a safe recovery.

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