Stay Weather Aware This Week

It's important to stay weather aware this week.

The National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting unsettled weather patterns starting on Monday, lasting through at least Thursday with scattered to numerous afternoon showers and thunderstorms.

NWS warns some storms could be strong with gusty winds, small hail and heavy rainfall.

The Nashville Office of Emergency Management (OEM) urges everyone to prepare now for the potential for severe weather.

This includes:

Prepare for High Winds Now Before the Severe Weather

• Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.
• Secure loose gutters and shutters.
• Identify an interior room of your house, such as a basement or interior bathroom, that you can take shelter in during high wind warnings.
• If you live in a mobile home, identify a sturdy building you can go to if NWS issues a high wind or severe thunderstorm warning.
• Charge batteries of all essential items such as cell phones and booster packs, weather radios and power tools such as a reciprocating saw, which you might need to clear debris.
• Update your emergency kit and be sure to include enough food and water to last for 3 days for each person in your home.
• Make a list of items outside your home you will need to tie down or put away so that they don't blow away or fly through a window. When NWS issues a high wind or severe thunderstorm watch, immediately secure these items to avoid damage or injury once the wind starts picking up.
• Have multiple ways to receive weather alerts.
• Add new batteries.
• Charge your cell phone.
• Turn off "Do Not Disturb" to make sure you can receive alerts.

Food Safety During a Loss of Power

Refrigerated Food and Power Outages: When to Save It and When to Throw It Out

As the USDA notes in Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency, your refrigerator will keep food safe for up to 4 hours during a power outage. Keep the door closed as much as possible. Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers after 4 hours without power.

After a power outage, never taste food to determine its safety. You will have to evaluate each item separately-use this chart as a guide. When in Doubt, Throw it Out!

Download Refrigerator Safety Chart

Frozen Food and Power Outages: When to Save It and When to Throw It Out

A full freezer will hold a safe temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full and the door remains closed). Food may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at 40°F (4°C) or below, however, its quality may suffer. Never taste food to determine its safety. Use this chart as a general guide.

Download Freezer Safety Chart

Portable Generator Safety

• Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust by operating your generator outside for proper ventilation.
• Never refuel your generator when it is running. Let it cool down first.
• Do not store fuel in a garage, basement or inside your home. Vapors can be released that can cause illness and are a potential fire hazard.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector inside your home to warn you in case of a gas leak.
• Never hook up a generator directly to your home's electrical service or wiring. This can cause back feeding and poses a serious risk to NES line workers.
• Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Only use generators and grills outdoors and away from windows. Never heat your home with a gas stovetop or oven.

NES Power Outage Center

NES Power Outage Tips

TDOT SmartWay Map

Weather maps and information from Weather.gov