The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency has declared a state of emergency and activated the Tennessee Emergency Management Plan.

TEMA officials said road conditions are deteriorating rapidly and major backups have been reported on Interstate 24 and Interstate 40.

As of 9 p.m., more than 55,000 customers in a total of 19 counti es statewide were without power.

I-40 eastbound at mile marker 156 in Hickman County was backed up for 12 miles into Humphreys County. I-24 westbound from mile marker 96 to State Route 840 will be closed down due to crashes and a previous backup.

TEMA has requested the Tennessee National Guard for State Active Duty to deploy a 10-person crew with five Humvees for motorist wellness checks. The Tennessee Highway Patrol has requested the National Guard specifically for the backup on I-40 in Hickman and Humphreys counties.

TEMA is transporting more than 200 bottles of water and 225 ready packs to the backup on I-40.