Minus 19 degrees. That’s what forecasters are saying Middle and East Tennessee’s wind chill factor will at 6am Friday morning.  The actual temperature will be zero.  Temperatures will not rise above single digits until Saturday and drop back down to 8 degrees by Sunday morning and may reach the freezing mark Monday around noon. With wind gusts up to 20-25 mph officials are advising everyone to stay inside.

We haven’t seen December temperatures this low in 30 years according to meteorological records. CNF spoke to Crossville/Cumberland County EMA Director Travis Cole about the possibility of widespread and long-term power outages during the deep freeze.  Director Cole told us there are contingency plans for warming shelters throughout the county in the event there is a long-term outage.

Cole said he has been in contact with VEC and they are ramping up preparations for any outages that may occur. VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Assisting in Disaster), a local network of nonprofit organizations that coordinate response to emergencies in the community is also on standby to assist in securing area meeting halls and church buildings to serve as emergency shelters as well.   EMA Director Cole stated they are especially aware of many households where oxygen machines are in use and cannot be without electricity for too many hours in addition to homes that are heated exclusively by electricity. 

EMA Director Cole also wants the county to be aware of an APP you can install on your cell phone to receive emergency notifications from the EMA including locations of emergency shelters should they be activated. You can download the APP HERE