February 5 Winter Storm Fern Update

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

The Nashville Office of the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast Metro Nashville Davidson County will remain on the cooler side through Saturday.

What to Expect

• Except for Saturday, temperatures will be on a warming trend Friday into early next week.
• Calm conditions are expected through Monday. Rain chances increase Tuesday through the end of next week

See the latest forecast from the National Weather Service Nashville Forecast Office

The Nashville Electric Service (NES) continues to restore power to our communities. As of 5:30 p.m. 1,580 customers are without power.

OEM, in coordination with the American Red Cross and multiple Metro Departments, completed the closing of the Southeast Regional Community Center Warming Shelter on Thursday, February 5.

The warming shelter at Bellevue Community Center remains open, and the Madison Community Center is no longer taking new clients with an expected closing date of Saturday, February 8.

Teams working in partnership with the OEM include the American Red Cross, Nashville Fire Department (NFD), Metro Social Services (MSS), the Office of Homeless Services (OHS), Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), the Davidson County Sheriff's Office (DCSO), WeGo Transit, and the Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD).

Counselors from partner agencies are working directly with families who are able to return home, with support from the American Red Cross. This includes verifying that residences have restored electricity and are safe for occupancy.

Available recovery resources include:

• Financial assistance for food, clothing, and other storm-related losses
• Referrals to licensed contractors for home repairs, including electrical work
• Additional recovery-related support services

Anyone needing assistance or additional resources can contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Warming shelters remain available 24/7, offering overnight accommodation and meals at the following locations:

• Madison Community Center - 550 N. Dupont Avenue, Madison, TN 37115 (No longer taking new clients)
• Bellevue Community Center - 7638A Highway 70 South, Nashville, TN 37221 (Continues to take new clients)

Shelter Clients Served 2/4/2026

• Southeast Community Center: 38 Clients (not accepting new clients)
• Madison Community Center: 40 Clients
• Bellevue Community Center: 39 Clients

NFD, MNPD, and the Department of Emergency Communications (DEC) continue to provide safe transportation to warming locations for Davidson County residents as needed.

This timeline remains flexible and may be adjusted based on the specific needs of the residents being served at each location.

MSS and OHS continue to provide ongoing support for residents experiencing homelessness, including:

• Housing options
• Medical care
• Behavioral health services
• Additional supportive services based on individual needs

Officials will continue to monitor conditions and coordinate with partner agencies to ensure residents receive the support needed throughout the recovery process.

Available Resources

VOAD, The United Way of Greater Nashville, and Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee announced The Winter Weather Recovery Fund for individuals and families affected by winter storm Fern 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

Disaster SNAP Benefits

Replacement SNAP Benefits (for existing SNAP recipients)

The Tennessee Department of Human Services is prepared to provide replacement Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to current SNAP households who suffered losses due to severe weather which may have caused power outages or household misfortune.

These replacement benefits are available for existing SNAP recipients who:

• Lost food due to a power outage of 12 hours or more
• Lost food due to household misfortune

Individuals requesting replacement benefits need to sign an affidavit and send it to TDHS using the Upload Documents option, within the One DHS Customer Portal. New to the One DHS Customer Portal? Get instructions on how to set up an account and link your case. Once your account is set up and case linked, you may submit an Affidavit Request for SNAP Replacement Benefits.

More information about disaster emergency assistance

Hands on Nashville (HON)

HON is organizing volunteers for all kinds of ground level help in the community. They should go to HON.org to find volunteer opportunities and join the organization to help.

Generator Distribution

How to Request Assistance

Nonprofit Organizations

Nonprofits in need of a bulk supply of generators should contact Nashville VOAD directly at [email protected] to assess availability and coordination.

Individuals and Households

Individuals in need of a generator in Davidson County should visit NashvilleResponds.com and complete the Needs Tracker form by clicking on "Share Your Needs" or call 2-1-1 for assistance in completing the form.

Once submitted, a member of the Nashville VOAD team will follow up to further assess needs and, when possible, coordinate delivery.

Generator Distribution to date

Received: 443 Generators

• Gave 100 to Hispanic Family Foundation
• Gave 24 on 2.3.26 to Tennessee Western-Kentucky United Methodist Conference (TWKUMC) (requested from Charity Tracker)
• Gave 12 on 2.4.26 to (TWKUMC)
• Gave 25 on 2.4.26 to Walking with Swager
• Gave 5 on 2.5.26 to Neighbor 2 Neighbor
• 25 requested by TEMA to re-distribute to other counties.*

*The requested TEMA re-distribution is still in progress.

Total distributed = 166

Total left to be assigned and distributed = 277

Generator availability is limited, and requests are prioritized based on safety, vulnerability, and urgency. The Nashville VOAD and its nonprofit partners use needs-based assessments to prioritize households without power, particularly those with young children, older adults, individuals with disabilities, and residents who rely on life-sustaining medical equipment. We appreciate the media's partnership in sharing accurate information and helping connect those impacted by the storm with the appropriate resources.

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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