6:30 p.m. update
National Weather Service
We are now under a Winter Storm Warning, which lasts until Thursday evening. Though models vary, the official forecast now is for snow to begin early this morning with 1-2” of accumulation initially. Heavier snowfall begins this afternoon and continues through Thursday morning. Total accumulation is now predicted to be 4-6”. Accumulation could vary depending upon the mixture of sleet and snow.
We will continue to monitor 24hrs/ day and will update as the situation dictates.
Closures
Due to inclement weather, the City of Memphis will operate with only essential personnel coverage on Thursday, February 18. As a result, the following services will be impacted: Memphis Parks, Memphis Animal Shelter, Libraries, Community Centers (excluding warming centers), Code Enforcement, Permits Office, City Treasury, Office of Business Diversity and Compliance, 311, and 211. Tax payments can be made online or by phone at 901-636-7200.
The Division of Planning and Development will be conducting mechanical/gas and electrical safety inspections as needed; visit www.develop901.com for details. The Office of Business Diversity and Compliance will host virtual appointments and workshops only with no in-person appointments.
The Memphis Municipal Courts and City Court Clerk’s Office will be closed. Traffic fine payments and inquiries may be made online.
MATA posted this message to customers this evening: Due to the continuing worsening inclement weather conditions, the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) is terminating its service immediately tonight. Service was expected to end at 6:45 p.m. but it is ending now.
Information about the service schedule for Thursday, February 18, 2021 was shared earlier this afternoon. However, please continue to pay attention to Omnilert messages, information on the City of Memphis Nextdoor platform, on the MATA Facebook and Twitter pages, and matatransit.com for any new updates. Customers can also call the MATA Call Center at 901-274-MATA (6282) until 6 p.m. today. The Call Center will reopen at 6 a.m. tomorrow.
Public Works:
City crews are working 16-hour shifts and have been running snow plows and sand trucks today and tonight. Snow and Ice Operations are on-going for at least the next 72 hours.
The City is using all available assets to manage the sever winter storm including contracting for 6 additional snow plows for a total of 14 snow plow equipment.
Public Works Snow and Ice Operation incudes:
- 6 brine units
- 16 sand trucks
- 14 snow plows
Click the links below to view today’s snow and ice operations
https://www.facebook.com/MEMCity/videos/454139969055423/
https://www.facebook.com/MEMCity/videos/146676720624967/
https://www.facebook.com/MEMCity/videos/vb.107471646129/454139969055423/?type=2&theater
https://www.facebook.com/MEMCity/videos/vb.107471646129/1039050999923174/?type=2&theater
Warming Center:
On Tuesday, more than 170 residents stayed at the City’s warming centers. The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will continue to operate the following 24-hour warming centers.
- Hollywood Community Center – 1560 N. Hollywood St.
- Ruth Tate Senior Center – 1620 Marjorie St.
- Lewis Senior Center – 1188 N. Parkway (The Frayser Raleigh Senior Center was closed due to a burst pipe.)
For transportation, please contact the Office of Emergency Management at 901-297-1680.
Memphis Police Department is now under the Inclement Weather Crash Policy:
Drivers should, exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, insurance information and tag numbers of the vehicles involved.
•Take photograph(s) of the damage and tag number of vehicles involved
•Both drivers should call the nearest Memphis Police Station or the Memphis Police Traffic Office to report the accident. This should be done within five (5) working days.
•An Officer or PST will complete a Crash Report or a “Non-Investigated Crash Report” (NIR).
Garbage, recycling and outside the cart collections:
Winter weather has impacted the ability of the Memphis Solid Waste Management Division and its contractor, Waste Pro, to safely deliver services. All solid waste collection services are suspended until conditions improve and can be delivered safely.
City of Memphis Solid Waste collections are suspended Thursday, February 18th. The City will monitor conditions and determine when collection services will resume safety. We will communicate further when information is available. When services resume, customers are asked to place your carts at the curb on your regular collection day and leave them until they are collected
MLGW:
Currently 9 outages are reported in Memphis and Shelby County. Approximately 77 customers are without power and 99.98 percent of customers are with power. To report a power outage contact MLGW at 544-6500.
Shelby Country Health Department:
The following COVID-19 vaccination sites will be closed Wednesday, February 19 – Saturday, February 20 due to inclement weather and hazardous driving conditions:
- Appling Inspection Station-2355 Appling City Cove
- Pipkin Building – 940 Early Maxwell Road
- Germantown Baptist Church – 9450 Poplar Avenue
- Southwest Tennessee Community College Whitehaven Center – 1234 Finley Road
- CSFP Warehouse – 1020 South Bellevue Blvd.
Next week, all partners, will be working diligently to get vaccine to the Shelby County community.
Currently the Health Department is vaccinating first responders and health care workers listed in Phases 1a1 & 1a2, funeral/mortuary workers and all persons age 70+. Future new appointment availability and updated information regarding closures will be posted at https://shelby.community/
Other Vaccination Providers Other providers are also vaccinating persons in the priority groups, including:
- Veteran’s Administration – Now vaccinating all veterans age 65 and older at the VA Medical Center at 1030 Jefferson Avenue. Veterans must be enrolled with the VA at www.va.gov to receive vaccination.
- Walmart – Now vaccinating those in group 1a1, 1a2, 70+. To schedule an appointment, go to https://www.walmart.com/cp/1228302
Updated information regarding closures will be posted on the www.shelby.community website.
Memphis International Airport
- MEM continues to be open with flights arriving and departing, though airlines schedules continue to be affected by the weather. Passengers should continue to check with their airlines for the most up-to-date information.
- Airport crews continue to work continuously to ensure that runways, taxiways and other surface areas are clear of snow and ice.
- We anticipate continuing winter operations into the weekend.
- The runways at General DeWitt Spain Airport and Charles W Baker Airports are closed, but DeWitt Spain has fueling available for helicopters.
Reference Info:
We will continue to keep residents informed with updates on the City’s website https://www.memphistn.gov/ , as well as Facebook (@MEMCity) Twitter @Cityof Memphis) and Next-door as information becomes available.