At least seven people have died across Tennessee after winter weather battered the state, bringing record snowfall in some areas and frigid temperatures.
The Tennessee Department of Health confirmed that two people died in Shelby and Washington counties, respectively, and one person died in Hickman and Madison counties, respectively.
Knoxville police said Marlo Jackson, 50, of Fort Lauderdale, died when the rented Budget truck he was driving skidded through accumulated snow and struck a tractor-trailer from behind, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency has activated its Emergency Operations Center in Nashville to provide a higher level of resources to communities across the state, officials said.
With frigid temperatures, Tennesseans are pulling the power grid. The Tennessee Valley Authority said Wednesday morning that power demand was at a record high, but the grid was stable.
“Businesses and the public have been asked to reduce electrical energy use as much as possible without sacrificing safety,” TEMA said, suggesting residents turn down the temperature to 68 degrees or lower to reduce energy consumption.
