Memphis weather Friday: Boil water advisory continues; weather-related deaths up to 4
Memphis and the Mid-South is one day away from being clear of the freezing temperatures that have plagued the area since the winter storm moved in last weekend.
The National Weather Service forecast calls for sunny skies across the area Friday with highs only topping out around 27 degrees.
Things change for the warmer over the weekend with highs around in the upper 40s both days. Lows are still expected to fall below freezing.
Weather-related deaths in Shelby Co. up to 4
Four people have died because of the weather in Shelby County, the state Department of Health confirmed Friday. The deaths have occurred amid freezing temperatures over the past several days.
Overnight lows will be in the low teens and single digits, according to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, “creating hazards that may include refreezing of roadways and posing a danger to anyone who is outdoors for any length of time.”
TEMA listed the following centers as available shelters and warming centers:
- Hollywood Community Center, 1560 N. Hollywood Street Memphis, TN
- Lewis Senior Center, 1188 North Pkwy., Memphis, TN
- Ruth Tate Senior Center, 1640 Marjorie Street, Memphis, TN
Memphis airport remains closed for passengers
Memphis International Airport remains closed to passenger arrivals and departures due to MLGW water pressure issues, and it will not open until at least noon Saturday, spokesman Glen Thomas said Friday.
“This is no set opening time at this point, as many details are still not confirmed,” he said. “The airport is working on multiple short-term options that would allow for the opening of temporary restrooms and the resumption of passenger flight operations.”
The airport does not have an estimated completion time from MLGW on water system repairs. It will provide another status update Saturday morning, Thomas said.
MATA amends public transit service for Saturday
The Memphis Area Transit Authority plans to offer a limited slate of services on Saturday amid the inclement weather. According to a service update from MATA on Friday, the following services will be offered:
- Fixed-Route bus service will run between 5:15 a.m. and 6:45 p.m., but only on Routes 1, 11, 28, 32, 39, 42, 50 and 57.
- MATAPlus will operate between 5 a.m. and 6:45 p.m. for only life-sustaining trips, including dialysis, for customers who have reservations.
- The William Hudson, Airways and American Way Transit Centers will remain open during service times only between 5:15 a.m. and 6:45 p.m. Water fountains won’t be accessible due to the boil water advisory.
The Main Street, Riverfront and Madison Trolley lines will not operate. MATA will provide another update on Saturday for service on Sunday.
Most major roads plowed, flooding and potholes potential challenge
Most major Memphis thoroughfares have been successfully plowed by the city’s public works department, with emergency and minor collector streets the next focus area, said Director Robert Knecht on Friday.
More than 800 lane miles of roadway have been already been plowed by the department, but warming temperatures over the weekend will be the biggest benefit over the next few days to snow- and ice-clearing efforts, Knecht said.
“I think our next challenge is going to be, we need to monitor for flooding and preparing for potholes,” he said. “Potholes are going to be a huge challenge, as our historical knowledge has made us aware that this big freeze thaw will complicate older street plowing.”
For those who park on the street, Knecht said they should move their cars off the street if possible to make it easier for the department to clear snow on residential streets.
As boil water advisory continues, many businesses told to follow directive or close
Memphis, Light, Gas and Water said Friday afternoon that it does not know when the boil advisory will end as water pressure remains low throughout the city and misinformation spreads on social media.
"We don't have a date when it could be lifted," MLGW CEO J.T. Young said.
Young, and Nick Newman, the utility's head of engineering, said there are no plans to cut off residential customers or implement a widespread shutoff.
More:MLGW says, again, there are no plans to cut off water in Memphis area
The city-owned utility, which provides water to Memphis and some Shelby County residents, has not found any contamination in the water.
After initially saying restaurants would close due to the MLGW boil water advisory, health officials later clarified that restaurants can remain open if they can operate using only boiled or bottled water.
Health officials clarify:Memphis restaurants need not close if they can adhere to boil order measures
All businesses that are within the city of Memphis, use MLGW and use large amounts of water for a product that will be consumed are impacted by the new health directive.
Saturday vaccines postponed at VA
The Memphis VA Medical Center has postponed vaccinations scheduled for Friday due to inclement weather. Veterans with appointments will be contacted and rescheduled, the VA said in an announcement.
COVID-19 vaccine appointments rescheduled
Vaccination appointments canceled this week due to winter weather have been rescheduled.
New dates have been determined based on day, time and location of the individual's initial appointment.
More:Vaccine appointment canceled for Memphis winter weather? Here's when it's been rescheduled for
Those new dates are here.
All flights canceled at Memphis International Airport
Memphis International Airport has canceled all flights for Friday due to the water pressure issues that hit MLGW this week.
MLGW water boil water advisory continues
Cold temperatures have damaged underground pipes and other water system equipment in Memphis, causing a widespread drop in water pressure, raising the risk of bacterial contamination of the water, and leading Memphis Light, Gas & Water to issue a highly unusual boil advisory.
That means customers should boil water from the tap before they can use it for drinking or cooking, spokesperson Gale Jones Carson said Thursday.
MLGW recommends people boil any water from the tap before uses such as drinking it or using it for brushing their teeth.
That means bringing the water to a full, rolling boil and keeping it boiling for at least three minutes, she said. People can also buy bottled water.
Memphis road conditions
As of Thursday, the city's public works department has plowed 450 of Memphis' 6,7000 miles of lanes using a combination of city-owned and contracted snow plows.
The majority of plowed lanes are along major thoroughfares; future efforts to push streets free of the 10 to 12 inches of snow that has accumulated since Monday will likely stay concentrated on major streets, said Public Works Director Robert Knecht.
Warmer temperatures are expected over the next several days, and public works is counting on an assist from the sun to melt snow build-up on residential streets.
MATA announces limited service
The Memphis Area Transit Authority announced plans to offer limited service on Friday.
"Fixed route bus service will run between 5:15 a.m. and 6:45 p.m., but only on Routes 1, 11, 28, 32, 42 and 50," the company said in a news release. "These routes were selected based on current road conditions."
MATAPlus, the paratransit service for people with disabilities, will operate between 5 a.m. and 6:45 p.m., but only for life-sustaining trips — such as trips for dialysis — for customers who have reservations.
The William Hudson, Airways and American Way Transit Centers will remain open during service times only between 5:15 a.m. and 6:45 p.m., MATA said.
Trolley lines on Main Street, the riverfront and Madison Avenue will not operate.
MATA will provide additional updates via its Omnilert service and social media. Customers may also call 901-274-6282 for more information.
Vaccination sites closed through Saturday
Many area COVID-19 vaccination sites will be closed through Saturday, the Shelby County Health Department announced Tuesday. The sites are closed "due to inclement weather and the threat of hazardous driving conditions."
Appointments originally scheduled from Feb. 16 to Feb. 20 will be rescheduled, the department said.
The closed vaccination sites include:
- Appling Inspection Station: 2355 Appling City Cove, Memphis, 38133
- Pipkin Building: 940 Early Maxwell Road, Memphis, 38104
- Germantown Baptist Church: 9450 Poplar Avenue, Germantown, 38139
- Southwest Tennessee Community College Whitehaven Center: 1234 Finley Road, Memphis, 38116
- CSFP Warehouse: 1020 South Bellevue, 38106
Appointments originally scheduled from Feb. 16 to FeSearch Assets b. 20 will be rescheduled, the department said.