Snowstorm Forces Tennessee into State of Emergency

Jacksboro, TN, Jan. 10, 2011 - As the snowstorm forces Tennessee into a State of Emergency, Campbell County residents take it all in stride. The county is located in the mountainous higher elevations of the state along the Tennessee-Kentucky state line.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) has placed the entire state under a Level 3 State of Emergency. TEMA defines a Level 3 State of Emergency as one where a serious emergency has occurred or when conditions are deteriorating.

A State of Emergency is declared any time conditions warrant a Level 3 situation or higher. Key emergency service coordinators are called to duty to organize whatever relief efforts are needed.

It's no secret that storms can force power lines down. In the Caryville-Jacksboro area, my family and the friends I contacted had no problems with electricity so far. Our biggest problems were relegated to the tertiary roadways and subdivision roads. These remain covered with snow. Little melting has occurred.

Average winter weather sometimes forces the closure of I-75 North through Campbell County between the towns of Caryville and Jellico. Residents living here know to keep supplies of food staples on hand. My trip to the store yesterday was business as usual. If shoppers were on edge because of the approaching snowstorm, they didn't show it.

I did notice that we were going through some of the groceries more quickly than usual. This prompted me to call the Food City in Jacksboro to see how the grocery shelves looked. As of 7 p.m. on Monday, Food City front end employee Chad Smith was able to tell me that bread, milk and eggs are still available. This is good news for my family and others in Campbell County.

State crews and road crews throughout the county worked hard to clear primary roadways. Traffic was observed to be moving freely on the road from Caryville to LaFollette as drivers navigated slushy roadways.

Driving conditions on secondary roadways were still dangerous. Motorists who did venture out did so with caution. John Crabtree, a pastor in Campbell County, reported sliding "a few times" in his pick-up truck. He answered "Yes, absolutely" when I asked if he would venture out again if called.

Despite the snowstorm that forced Tennessee into a State of Emergency, businesses in Campbell County were still open. The lights were on at the Shoney's in Caryville as of Monday evening, and I saw customers who appeared to be patronizing the restaurant.

Roads at nearby Cove Lake State Park were snow-covered. Park officials closed part of the wooded area of the park to visitors. Although I opted against it, the snowstorm didn't keep a few people from venturing out. People were walking and I saw a group of children sledding in the parts of the park that were open.

For avid runner Clarence Lowe, the Tennessee State of Emergency didn't interfere with his regular routine of running at the park. I caught up with him to ask about his visit. He praised road crews but advised caution when driving.

"I love the park," he said. "It's so beautiful and quiet any time you come. I love it here when it's snowing."

As I pulled my vehicle back into the driveway, I paused to look out over the yard and my neighborhood. It was quiet. The snow that caused the Tennessee State of Emergency blanketed my subdivision in a blanket of white. Birds surrounded our tiny bird feeder. A few neighbors were clearing driveways that most of us had given up on.

The tranquility won't keep some businesses from feeling the pinch. Even though traffic was flowing, there were only a few cars at the Shoney's and fewer still were at Scotties. On Sunday, most area churches called off evening services because of the snow. Basic services like trash pickup have been delayed. Schools are closed to the delight of schoolchildren.

Snow is a common occurrence in Campbell County. We have all developed ways to adapt. While the snowstorm forces Tennessee into a State of Emergency, I and the other residents here know that it won't last forever. When the weather lifts, all of us will go back to our regular routines. The sledding schoolchildren will be the only ones to be sad when that happens.

Sources:
Personal Experience
Chad Smith
John Crabtree
Clarence Lowe
Tennessee Emergency Management Agency