Metro Nashville Ramps Up Cold Weather Response

NASHVILLE, TN -- An Alberta clipper raced into Middle Tennessee late Monday into Tuesday, blanketing the region in snow and bringing the coldest temperatures of the winter with it.

The high temperatures Tuesday and Wednesday were forecast in the teens with lows down in the single digits and, even with light winds, wind chills plunged even lower.

Because of the dangerously cold air, Metro Nashville implemented Level 4 of its Cold Weather Plan, the highest level of response under the joint effort between numerous Metro departments and a host of community organizations. The plan is designed to protect and help people who are homeless during bitter cold.

During a critical Level 4 event, which is activated during extremely cold temperatures and when the city's shelters are at 90 percent capacity or above, Metro opens an overflow shelter with transportation. Monday night, that shelter was set up at the Vaughn Building at the Fairgrounds. That response is in addition to the street canvassing teams of volunteers and Metro employees, who urge people who are homeless to find warm shelter during cold weather.

At least 10 people have died in Nashville from hypothermia since the first blast of winter in December.

Image via Patch