Local News
Tennessee is bracing for impact as we are about to be hit head on by arctic conditions. The extreme cold is expected to arrive tonight and temperatures in the Volunteer State could drop close to zero degrees. Wind chills will make it feel even colder than that, with snowfall also predicted in some areas. Drivers are urged to take extra caution on the roads as visibility could be impacted and surfaces may be dangerous. Doctors are warning people to bundle up as the level of cold predicted can cause hypothermia or frostbite. Fingers, ears and noses are all parts of the body that can be impacted and people are advised to make sure they are all covered up in the conditions.
The Tennessee Department of Health is reporting two deaths tied to pediatric influenza. Officials say the cases were recorded between December fourth and tenth. The department says the state is seeing flu symptoms in over nine percent of patients visiting hospitals, well above the national average of just over three percent, according to the CDC. Tennessee heath officials are defining flu-like symptoms as a fever of one-hundred degrees or above accompanied by cough, a sore throat, or both.
One person was killed in a Montgomery County crash Wednesday morning. Authorities say it happened on I-24 in Clarksville and involved three vehicles. At least one person died in the 6:15 a.m. accident. It’s not known if there were any other injuries and the investigation continues.
We aren’t they only one being punched in the pocketbook as we try to keep warm. Heating costs are rising while temperatures are dropping sharply across the U.S. The National Energy Assistance Directors Association estimates that heating costs are 17-percent higher than they were this time last year.
The winter storm wreaking havoc on retailers. Grocery store managers say they typically order “additional quantities” of Milk, bread and eggs the most sought-after food items in grocery stores ahead of severe weather. Hardware stores are also busy trying to keep snow shovels, rock salt and other de-icers on the shelves.