All articles tagged with #east tennessee
East Tennessee schools, including Knox County Schools, will remain closed on Jan. 22 due to icy roads following a snowstorm last week, with closures extending into another week. The storm has led to 25 deaths across the state, prompting continued caution and delays in reopening schools and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville campus.
East Tennessee is bracing for another winter storm with mixed precipitation of snow and rain, along with wind gusts up to 35 mph, starting at 7 p.m. tonight. Cancellations and reopenings are ongoing, with some offices starting to reopen while schools remain closed. Warming centers are providing shelter from the cold, and residents are encouraged to stay updated on the latest openings and closings. Additionally, opportunities for snow-related activities are available in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
Despite the emergence of the Eris variant, a subvariant of Omicron, experts believe that the current spike in COVID-19 cases in East Tennessee will remain manageable. Dr. Robert Wilson of Covenant Health is cautiously optimistic, noting an increase in cases among those who have not traveled outside the community. While COVID-related hospitalizations and positivity rates are rising nationally, Wilson advises people to remain vigilant, get vaccinated, practice good hygiene, and get tested early if experiencing symptoms or exposure. The CDC recommends staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations, as studies have shown a decrease in protection against mild and moderate cases over time.
Appalachian Power has stated that most customers affected by power outages caused by storms in East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia will have their service restored by late Sunday night, but some areas may have to wait until late Monday night. Heavy rainfall on Sunday has slowed down restoration efforts in the Tri-Cities area.
East Tennessee is experiencing an increase in cases of La Crosse encephalitis, a rare viral illness transmitted by infected mosquitoes, particularly affecting children. The disease often goes undiagnosed until severe symptoms occur, and there is currently no cure. Climate change is contributing to the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, as warming temperatures and increased humidity lengthen the mosquito season. Mosquito surveillance and management efforts are limited, but prevention measures such as draining standing water and using insect repellents are crucial in reducing the risk of infection.
Unsubstantiated threats on social media caused some schools in West Knoxville and Jefferson County to go on precautionary lockdowns, but there were no known credible threats to any schools in Knoxville. The Knox County Sheriff's Office determined that a student's Snapchat threat was a hoax similar to one received in a Florida school system last week. Schools are operating on a regular schedule, and local law enforcement is in communication with state agencies. False active shooter calls across the state disrupted schools on Wednesday.
Multiple schools in East Tennessee have reported receiving hoax calls, prompting law enforcement to investigate. The calls have caused disruptions to school schedules and have raised concerns about safety. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the calls to come forward.