NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, at the direction of Governor Bill Lee, TEMA Director Patrick C. Sheehan issued a State of Emergency to provide regulatory relief due to winter weather in Tennessee. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) encourages all Tennesseans to take preparedness steps ahead of a significant winter storm, with impacts expected Thursday evening through Saturday afternoon.
This State of Emergency exempts federal rules and regulations limiting the hours of service for the operator of a commercial motor vehicle providing fuels or an operator of a commercial motor vehicle transporting feed for the livestock or poultry industries, or transportation of animals in those industries. The hours-of-service exemption will be in effect until 11:59 a.m. on Jan. 23, 2025, or during the emergency period, whichever is less.
National Weather Service forecasts show a significant winter storm moving through the state with high confidence of accumulating snowfall and moderate to major travel impacts. Most of the state will receive 3-5” of snowfall, but some areas may receive 6-8” with heavier snow bands.
TEMA continues to work with local, regional, and state partners to support readiness actions and any requests for resources. The state remains at a Level 3, State of Emergency, to be able to respond to the impending winter weather and to continue to respond to Tropical Storm Helene recovery.