Life After the Storm: Ice, Outages, and Extended Cold Across Middle TN

Issue #652

January 26, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌡️ Columbia’s Tuesday Weather - Sunny w/ high of 39, low of 18 👉 Stay tuned to Weather Down in Mule Town for your local weather updates!

📰 Life After the Storm: Ice, Outages, and Extended Cold Across Middle TN

📰 Power Restoration Update From CPWS

👉 Weather Update and Closures

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Life After the Storm: Ice, Outages, and Extended Cold Across Middle TN

Middle Tennessee is still dealing with the aftermath of the winter storm that brought days of ice, outages, and disruptions across the region.

At its peak, more than 200,000 Middle Tennessee residents were without power — the highest total in the country at the time. Nationwide, over 1 million customers across roughly 30 states experienced outages as the storm stretched from Texas to New England. In Tennessee, the storm was blamed for three deaths, with at least 13 fatalities reported nationwide.

The most lingering issue locally hasn’t been snow, but ice. After some melting early in the storm, a rapid temperature drop caused a flash freeze, turning roads, sidewalks, and driveways into solid sheets of ice. That led to crashes, interstate closures, downed tree limbs, broken power poles, and damaged infrastructure — including a water main break in Franklin. Nashville Electric Service alone reported dozens of broken poles and more than 70 distribution circuits out at one point.

While additional snow is unlikely, dangerously cold temperatures are expected to stick around. Forecasts show highs remaining below freezing through at least February 3, extending the risk of icy travel conditions and complicating restoration efforts. Officials have warned that prolonged cold poses serious risks, especially for anyone still without power or reliable heat.

In response to the scale of the storm, the governor declared a state of emergency to help speed coordination and recovery efforts as crews continue working to restore power, clear roads, and address remaining hazards.

Power Restoration Update From CPWS

Update from CPWS posted around 6:00 PM…

Power Restoration Update – Monday, January 26 

Our crews have been out in full force all day Monday, continuing the push to get every light back on across our community.

After a successful Sunday where we were able to get most of the main transmission lines back in service, today’s mission was focused entirely on primary lines. These are the critical arteries of our local grid that feed power into our neighborhoods.

We could not have accomplished our goals today without the help of Lewisburg Electric System. Thanks is also due to Columbia Fire & Rescue, Tennessee for helping us to get customers to warming stations.

What’s next?

Tuesday Plan: We will continue our aggressive work on primary lines to ensure the backbone of our system is stable.

Individual Service: As those primary lines are cleared, we are aiming to shift resources toward individual service lines (the lines running directly to your home).

We know it is cold and being without power is incredibly difficult. We appreciate your continued patience and the kind words many of you have shared with our crews in the field. 

We won’t stop until the job is done!

Weather Update and Closures

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE FOR ALL OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE

National Weather Service Nashville TN

1043 AM CST Mon Jan 26 2026

...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS EVENING...

...EXTREME COLD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON CST TUESDAY...

* WHAT...For the Cold Weather Advisory, very cold wind chills as low as 2 below. For the Extreme Cold Warning, dangerously cold wind chills as low as 11 below expected.

* WHERE...All of Middle Tennessee.

* WHEN...For the Cold Weather Advisory, until 6 PM CST this evening.

For the Extreme Cold Warning, from 6 PM this evening to noon CST Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...The cold wind chills as low as 11 below zero could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Dress in layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you must go outside. Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves.

WeMaury County Mayor Sheila Butt’s post this evening… 

UPDATE FROM THE MAURY COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:

Travel conditions on main roads remain extremely slick, and secondary roads are treacherous. We are urging the public to stay home if at all possible.

We are getting reports of many EMS calls related to people falling as well.

School Closures:

* Maury County Public Schools - closed Tuesday 1/27
* Agathos Classical School - closed Tuesday 1/27
* Columbia Academy- closed Tuesday 1/27
* Zion Christian Academy- closed Tuesday 1/27

WARMING STATIONS

The Family Center                                           
921 Beckett Street, Columbia, TN 38401     
Monday- Tuesday 24 hour shelter, accepts CRATED pets                  

West Seventh Street Church of Christ
405 West 7th Street, Columbia,     
Open 7 PM to 7 AM through Tuesday morning

First United Methodist Church                              
222 West 7th Street, Columbia, TN 38401                    

Santa Fe Baptist Church
2652 Santa Fe Pike, Santa Fe
Open from 7 AM to 7 PM until further notice             

Maury County Government Offices are closed tomorrow. That includes the Courts and the Convenience Centers. The Maury County Animal Services will be closed as well. 

We will have an announcement soon concerning taking your tree limbs and debris to the Main Solid Waste Department off of Lawson White Road in the next couple of days. 

Praying that those still without power will have it restored soon. We are thankful for those who working diligently to make that happen!

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Tuesday, January 27th

Wednesday, January 28th

Thursday, January 29th

Friday, January 30th

Saturday, January 31st

Sunday, February 1st

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Tuesday, January 27
Songwriters Round - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 6–9 PM

Thursday, January 29
Todd Ciprian - Tito’s Spring Hill, 6–9 PM
Christine Parri - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30–9 PM

Friday, January 30
James Gregory - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30–9 PM
Justen Harden - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Vintage Voltage - McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7–9 PM
Songwriters Series - The Mulehouse, 7:30 PM
The Inlaw Band - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill (Spring Hill), 8–11 PM

Saturday, January 31
Andy Gullahorn - Hardison Mill, 7 PM
The Def Leprechaun Band - McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7–9 PM
Karli & James - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Winter Series - The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
Vinyl Radio - The Mulehouse, 8 PM
Nkahootz - The Boondox, 8 PM
South Bound Crows - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill (Spring Hill), 8–11 PM

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