Ashlynn and Myrah Forgety build a snow woman on Taylor Road in Oak Ridge on Saturday. (Photo courtesy Leah M. Bevins)
Note: This story was last updated at 12:58 p.m.
The snow overnight, which covered some roads that were already treacherous, has forced more closings, cancellations, and delays.
The Oak Ridge Civic Center, Scarboro Center, Senior Center, and Public Library will all be closed today, Saturday, February 21.
The District 3-AAA basketball tournament, which had been rescheduled for today at Central High School in Knoxville, has been canceled. The regional tournament is scheduled to start Monday, and the seedings that stand now will be used in the regional tournament.
Some businesses in Oak Ridge announced they are closed or opening later, possibly after the temperature warms and the precipitation changes to rain. For example, ORNL Federal Credit Union announced that all of its locations will be closed today. Hot Bagel Co. announced it will be closed today but will reopen at 6 a.m. Monday. The Other One in Grove Center said they will not open this morning, but could reopen this afternoon. You might consider calling ahead if you have a question about a specific business.
The Oak Ridge Community Band Jazz and Show Concert that had been scheduled for Sunday afternoon at the Grove Theater has been postponed.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation said Saturday morning that I-640 West in Knox County was closed at Exit 3B, Clinton Highway, due to an incident involving a TDOT salt truck. No injuries were reported, and the interstate has since reopened.
Later Saturday morning, TDOT said I-40 West was closed at Mile Marker 350 in Roane County due to a jack-knifed tractor trailer.
“TDOT crews have been treating East Tennessee roadways throughout the night, but travel across the region is very hazardous right now,” spokesman Mark Nagi said on Twitter.
There have been reports that at least some roads in Oak Ridge are “not good,” although the Oak Ridge Turnpike was reported to be “pretty good.”
“Turnpike is OK, but Tennessee and Pennsylvania (avenues) are not pretty,” resident Daniel Powers said. “New York (Avenue) is not a dream either.”
Powers reported that most of the side streets that he saw appeared to be covered.
“Driving wasn’t bad as it wasn’t packed down much,” he said. “Slow and steady worked for me in both the 4×4 and the front-wheel drive car.”
Resident Tim Waddell said South Illinois Avenue and the Turnpike were slushy but passable in a two-wheel drive on Saturday morning.
But there were other reports that area roads were bad.
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department said road conditions in the county continue to be slick and hazardous.
“Please do not travel unless an emergency,” the Sheriff’s Department said.
The Roane County Office of Emergency Services and Homeland Security also asked drivers to stay off the roads if at all possible.
Morgan County Emergency Management and Homeland Security reported that there were multiple power outages in the county, mainly in the north and west ends.
“There are trees down blocking roads, including state highways,” the office said. “Trees are continuing to fall.
“If you don’t have to be out, don’t travel! Travel is hazardous through out the county. State highway department, county road department, power and phone companies, rescue personnel are all out in force clearing trees and roadways working as fast as they can safely.
“(Temperatures) will continue to rise during the day and the melting will continue, so flooding will become a concern later today.”
More information will be added as it becomes available.
West Outer Drive near Illinois Avenue on Saturday morning. (Photo courtesy Tim Waddell/Twitter)
Snow on Pennsylvania Avenue on Feb. 21, 2015. (Photo by Daniel Powers)
East Drive snow on Saturday morning. (Photo by Karen Mitchell)
The view looking north from East Drive on Saturday morning. (Photo by Karen Mitchell)
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