The Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed seven deaths from winter storms, including two children killed in a “horrific” house fire, WTVC-TV in Chattanooga reported.
The first weather-related death occurred in Memphis, while the other six occurred during a fire in Cumberland County. The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office says firefighters arrived on the scene on Plateau Road to find a home completely engulfed in flames. Authorities say four adults and two children died in the fire.
The Tennessee National Weather Service building at night during the 2022 Blizzards
(National Weather Service: Nashville)
“Sheriff Casey Cox would like to ask everyone to keep this family in your prayers,” said the county sheriff’s department Sgt. Gary Howard said. “This is a horrible event and a tragic loss for our community.”
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Foul play is not suspected, but several agencies, including the TBI, have been called in to investigate.
This all came after the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) predicted that weather-related deaths could hinder emergency services responses and cause more disasters. They also warned that temperatures would remain below freezing throughout the Christmas weekend.
Temperatures in Nashville, Tennessee, reached 21 degrees when the blizzards of 2022 hit the state.
(National Weather Service: Nashville)
Nashville Electric Services says all known power outages have been resolved as of Monday with 4,000 customers without power on Christmas Eve. Water main breaks continue to plague Tennessee as the Nashville Water Service (NWS) works to restore water.
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Before Nashville was hit by the blizzards of 2022, emergency services were reduced due to flooding from heavy rains.
(National Weather Service: Nashville)
“We are also aware that many of our residential customers have experienced private plumbing issues associated with freezing temperatures. As pipes thaw, potential breaks often reveal themselves in walls, ceilings, etc.” says Sonia Allman, NWS Manager of Strategic Communications. “We encourage our customers to check the homes of out-of-town neighbors and family members and businesses closed for the holidays to make sure they haven’t experienced a private plumbing issue.”
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Tennessee is far from the hardest-hit state, with New York bearing the brunt of a blizzard. Buffalo has been particularly hard hit with freezing temperatures, high winds and more than 35 deaths.
