Tennessee Department of Transportation
Many Memphians hit the streets Friday morning despite urgings from Memphis City Hall to delay or even cancel morning commutes.
City officials asked Memphis motorists to stay off the roads Thursday evening as temperatures dropped, freezing snow or ice that may have melted in the Thursday sunshine. Also, to allow the city’s fleet of 14 de-icing trucks to hit the streets Thursday evening with sand and salt.
It seemed residents heeded the call to stay off roads Thursday night as neither Memphis Police Department nor the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reported any major incidents overnight.
But many made the Friday-morning commute. It was a slippery, slow-going affair with mounds of snow and ice still piled on major roads like North Parkway, Lamar, Danny Thomas, and more. Union and Poplar were targeted by the city’s trucks and appeared less icy than others.
The Shelby County Office of Preparedness said drivers should use caution on roadways, especially bridges and overpasses. Frozen slush has created black ice on the streets.
Here are some of the Friday-morning updates on conditions from the Shelby County Office of Preparedness:
• 26 people spent the evening at the City of Memphis warming center at the Orange Mound Community Center.
• No significant power outages overnight.
• All roads are open.
• Salt and cinder trucks are giving priority to interstates, highways and main routes.
• Shelby County and Memphis Public Works will continue to use road graders to clear streets.
• The Memphis Police Department continues its inclement weather policy regarding non-injury traffic crashes. Drivers should exchange insurance information and report crashes after the weather improves.
• The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office has returned to normal operations to investigate all traffic crashes.
Stay informed:
• Facebook – Shelby County Office of Preparedness HLS/EMA
• Twitter – @SCOP_HLS_EMA
• Phone – (901) 222-6700
