Oak Ridge Today

TVA asks customers to conserve power during high demand

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Photo courtesy Tennessee Valley Authority

The Tennessee Valley Authority said heavy snow and bitter cold temperatures are creating record-high demand for electricity across the Southeast.

“As a result, the Tennessee Valley Authority is asking customers to be aware of their power consumption, specifically between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. (Central Time) on Wednesday,” a press release said.

“TVA is actively monitoring weather conditions, and our power system remains stable,” the press release said. “Conservation requests are often used in the power industry to help lower demand during a specific time and does not indicate TVA is experiencing emergency conditions. If you are experiencing an outage, please check with your local electric provider for more information.”

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City offices, Y-12, AC Courthouse closed Wednesday

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City of Oak Ridge offices and facilities, Y-12 National Security Complex, and the Anderson County Courthouse will be closed Wednesday due to winter weather.

Only essential personnel are to report in the City of Oak Ridge. The Oak Ridge City Council work session scheduled for Tuesday night was canceled.

In Anderson County, crews have been working around the clock, but side roads are still in bad condition as are parking areas.

“The temperatures are expected to be very low tonight, and the main roads that are currently passable will most likely be ice in the early morning hours,” a press release said.

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Wind chills expected below zero

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Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown

Wind chills below zero are expected through Tuesday night through noon Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown.

A wind chill advisory went into effect at 5 p.m. Tuesday and will continue until lunchtime Wednesday.

The low Tuesday night is forecast at 1 degree Fahrenheit, with a wind around 5 miles per hour and wind chill values between -2 and -7.

The high on Wednesday is supposed to be near 28 with wind chill values between -8 and 2.

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Schools closed Wednesday

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Snow falls at Oak Ridge High School on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. Oak Ridge Schools announced they will be closed Tuesday. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Oak Ridge Schools will be closed again on Wednesday due to the winter weather.

The school system had been closed Tuesday as well due to the weather.

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Crews clearing roads, repairing water line breaks

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Image courtesy City of Oak Ridge

Oak Ridge crews are working to clear roads and repair water line breaks.

The Oak Ridge Public Works Department worked through the night to clear main roads, according to the city government. Melton Lake Drive and South Illinois Avenue are back open.

The department will begin to plow side streets once main roads are good for driving, the city said.

“While every city street was brined or treated before the storm, it was no match for this amount of snow combined with continued low temperatures,” the city said.

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Y-12 closed Tuesday

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The entrance sign at Y-12 National Security Complex at Bear Creek Road and Scarboro Road is pictured above on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Y-12 National Security Complex is closed Tuesday to everyone but essential personnel.

The Uranium Processing Facility project is also closed, Y-12 said.

“Teleworkers should continue to work remotely,” the plant said. “The Information Line will be updated with current information.”

Roads, schools, government offices, and businesses have closed due to the winter weather that started Sunday night, including snow, cold temperatures, and hazardous driving conditions.

Oak Ridge Schools closed Tuesday

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Snow falls at Oak Ridge High School on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. Oak Ridge Schools announced they will be closed Tuesday. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Oak Ridge Schools are closed Tuesday due to winter weather.

“Please stay warm and safe!” a press release said.

AC Courthouse, trash convenience centers closed

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Snow covers Jeeps at Secret City Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The Anderson County Courthouse is closed Tuesday due to winter weather.

Anderson County was under a winter storm warning until Tuesday morning, with more snow expected Monday night, a press release said. With lows tonight expected to be 14 degrees Monday night, and a high on Tuesday expected at 25 degrees, “the snow and ice will create unsafe for conditions for citizens and county employees,” the press release said.

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City manager’s ‘State of the City’ canceled due to weather

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Randy Hemann (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

Randy Hemann, the new Oak Ridge city manager, had been scheduled to deliver the annual “State of the City of Oak Ridge” to the League of Women Voters on Tuesday, but the presentation has been canceled due to the winter weather, which has included heavy snow, cold temperatures, and hazardous road conditions.

The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge said it hopes Hemann can deliver the presentation another time, but a new date hasn’t been announced yet.

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ORNL, city offices & facilities closed Tuesday

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Snow falls at Weigels on South Illinois Avenue at about lunchtime Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

City of Oak Ridge offices and facilities and Oak Ridge National Laboratory will be closed Tuesday due to winter weather.

The city said only essential employees are expected to report to work. The Oak Ridge City Council work session scheduled for Tuesday will be postponed and a new date published later.

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Roads, schools, businesses closed after heavy snow

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A snowplow works around Methodist Medical Center on Oak Ridge Turnpike during heavy snow on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Roads, schools, and businesses closed as snow fell for hours in Oak Ridge. The snow began about 8:30 p.m. Sunday, and snow continued to fall at about 6 p.m. Monday.

Oak Ridge Today measured almost seven inches of snow at about 5 p.m. Monday. The National Weather Service in Morristown had forecast between four to six and six to eight inches of snow in the Oak Ridge and Clinton areas.

“Very cold air is moving in across the region with sub-freezing temperatures continuing through Thursday,” the National Weather Service said. “Temperatures Tuesday night will be around zero!”

Roads, even main streets like Oak Ridge Turnpike, had a thick layer of snow on them, with a wet, slippery surface underneath. Traffic was light when normally it would be heavy, and most drivers drove slowly and cautiously, with some turning on their hazard lights.

“With significant snow accumulations across much of the area and very cold temperatures, hazardous travel conditions may develop,” the NWS said. “Avoid travel, but if you must, use caution.”

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New Year’s Eve Countdown with food trucks, bands, ball drop

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A New Year’s Eve countdown in Oak Ridge will feature food trucks, bands, and a ball drop.

There will also be fireworks, and the event and parking will be free, according to Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge, which is presenting the countdown.

The event is scheduled from 9 p.m. Sunday, December 31, to 1 a.m. Monday, January 1, at Alvin K. Bissell Park. The park is located at 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Musical performers will include Eli Fox Band and Alex and the Animals, according to an event flyer.

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