Winter Weather Safety: What Residents Should Do Before the Storm Hits Officials urge preparation, caution and staying home if possible

As winter weather approaches, officials across the Upper Cumberland are urging residents to prepare now and avoid unnecessary travel.

Homeowner and Generator Safety

Residents are encouraged to disconnect outside hoses, let faucets drip, open cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate and know where their main water shutoff valve is located.

Generator use requires extreme caution.

Portable generators should never be used inside homes, garages, basements or crawlspaces. They should be kept outdoors and away from doors, windows and vents.

Generators should never be connected directly to a home’s wiring without a transfer switch, a practice known as backfeeding that puts utility workers and residents at risk.

Road Crews Urge Caution

Cookeville Public Works will have multiple trucks staged to treat priority routes, city streets and public lots. Drivers are asked not to tailgate or pass salt trucks so crews can work safely.

Putnam County Road Superintendent Randy Jones said crews are ready but conditions will determine response.

TDOT reports salt supplies have been replenished and crews are pre-treating interstates and state routes.

Community Shelters and Volunteer Response

Monterey First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall is typically used as a storm shelter. Local churches may open their doors as needed.

The Tennessee Disaster Response Team has emergency generators available for life-threatening situations and volunteers with four-wheel drive vehicles on standby to assist stranded motorists and clear roads.

Residents needing assistance should text Ken Hall at 931-239-3318 with their name, address and specific need.



IF YOU LOSE POWER

Important Safety Reminders

• Never use generators indoors or in garages
 • Stay far away from downed power lines
 • Keep flashlights and batteries accessible
 • Text “OUT” to 1-800-261-2940 to report outages to UCEMC
 • Do not report outages on Facebook


Upper Cumberland Weather reports heavy mixed precipitation is possible from Friday night through Sunday evening, with power outages and hazardous travel conditions likely.

Officials urge residents to stay informed, prepare ahead of time and remain home if conditions worsen.