Chester County faced widespread power and water outages topped with nearly a half inch of ice following the arrival of Winter Storm Fern more than a week ago.
Despite the loss of resources and challenges ahead recovering from damage to property, there have been no weather-related fatalities recorded in Chester County. According to the Tennessee Department of Health, 25 fatalities have been attributed to Winter Storm Fern across Middle and West Tennessee.
Locally, emergency responders, organizations and individuals worked together to achieve the best possible outcome for all Chester County residents. Among those, the Chester County Rescue squad completed 30 transports for local residents’ needs, including trips with multiple passengers to the Henderson City Hall warming center and Americana Inn.
This is not the first run for the warming center at Henderson City Hall, but it had not been utilized as it was throughout Winter Storm Fern. According to City of Henderson Mayor Terry Bell, set up of the center was a joint effort by the Chester County Emergency Management Agency, Old Friendship Baptist Church youth group members, other volunteers and the city. Armed with cots and blankets, workers helped three families settle in the first evening. Throughout the storm, the warming center offered refuge to around 22 people, nine of those being children. Some stayed just long enough to get their bearings and move on to other residences, while around 16-17 stayed at the center overnight. Mayor Bell said food was provided for those staying at the center by volunteers, the Tennessee National Guard (MREs) and the local sheriff, as well as the city. Guests also had opportunity to enjoy hot coffee and games. “Obviously it’s not home,” Bell said, “But it was warm, clean, they were fed and taken care of.” Bell continued to say that it was a joint effort getting people to and from the warming center, with “everyone pitching in.” In addition to the rescue squad’s contribution, the Chester County Fire Department, Chester County Sheriff’s Office, Henderson Police Department and others worked together in this effort.
Chester County Fire Department Assistant Chief Ethan Hanson said county fire made 18 trips in warming center transports, assessing ice damage and helping fill immediate needs of local residents. CCFD also completed 36 medical runs from the onset of the storm, in many cases transporting patients to the ambulance when icy conditions prevented an ambulance from reaching the patients’ locations. Two structure fires were fought during the storm, Hanson said, adding a nod of gratitude to TDOT and the Highway Department who provided support by actively salting and plowing the roads in Silerton, to improve access for fire apparatuses. Highway Wrecker assisted in getting fire trucks moving again on an icy Deanburg Road. In addition to responding to fires, medical calls and transporting for warming stations, CCFD responders assisted in delivering bottled water to county residents who were without water as a result of the ice storm. Hanson said the department is “grateful for our volunteers willing to go out and put their lives on the line for people in these terrible road conditions.”
As was previously mentioned, the Chester County Rescue Squad was also on hand for the duration of the storm event. Rescue Squad Captain Dylan Faulkner said, “The rescue squad had personnel working 24 hours a day to assist the citizens – there was someone in that truck 24 hours a day through the duration of the storm and the days after.” An interesting note is that prior to the storm, the rescue squad purchased a 2014 Ram 2500 4x4 for the department. They took possession of the truck Friday, Jan. 23, and it was immediately put into service providing assistance to Chester County citizens. The new truck replaced a 32-year-old truck which had been in Chester County’s service for 20 years.
Chester County Sheriff Mark Griffin praised the collaboration of local agencies and organizations. “I appreciate the cooperation between our city and county partners,” he said, “the proactive planning prior to the storm, and coordinated response. I am especially thankful for Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation. Their preparations and dedication to restoring power to our community is commendable.”
Chester County Mayor Barry Hutcherson also applauded local response. “I’m very proud of our responders and they way everyone has worked together to help the citizens of county and city in response to accidents, medical situations, to checking on the elderly and people without (power and water). Mayor Hutcherson said EMA Director Brandon Connor stayed on top of the situation, orchestrated collaboration with TEMA and FEMA and worked to provide water to community centers and fire departments for further distribution throughout the county. He said that he and Connor have been in communication with Pickwick Electric as efforts are made to restore electricity to those customers remaining without power. Hutcherson credits everyone who has been involved in the process – “First responders, the road department, Mayor Bell, everyone in general that has gotten out and helped their neighbors. I think we’ve got a great county working together.” The county will continue to deal with the effects of the storm for a while, Hutcherson said. “We need a prayer for those in a bad situation,” he added. “Every once in a while you’ve got to lean on each other in bad circumstances...lean a little and pray a lot.”
The next step will be recording reports of damage in the county. This data will be collected for use in requests for disaster assistance through TEMA. Hutcherson said disaster funding could also help cover the overtime for departments throughout the storm response. More information will be available on this in coming days/weeks through the EMA office.
In the city limits, HPD officers responded to emergency calls for service and conducted welfare checks on people whose safety had been inquired about by families and neighbors, as well as providing transportation to and from the warming center. “HPD worked tirelessly around the clock as other agencies did,” said HPD Chief Gary Davidson. “It was our goal to ensure the safety of our citizens during the harsh winter storm.”
Henderson City Fire Department Assistant Chief Chase Moore said their department also assisted in providing water for community members while water supplies have been out of service. Storm response within the city limits has included seeing to fallen tree branches on power lines and houses and restoring power to the Highway 45 intersection using a battery backup system. HFD has faced some challenges with icy roads and was able to rotate trucks to utilize ice chains.
Mayor Bell said the city had focused efforts on clearing the streets and sidewalks to facilitate a quick return to business as usual. He said they had success early on, having spread a large amount of salt. But as the ice hardened it became increasingly difficult to remove. So much so that a city plow was broken in the process. The fight waged on, however, with everyone contributing what they could. Bell said the County and City loaned equipment back and forth as was necessary to the task. A city backhoe was provided for county use, the city utility department brought in a skid steer for alternate use and a flat bed dump truck was utilized in clearing the downtown area and hauling off ice from sidewalks. “I’m just really proud of all the teamwork,” Bell said. “Just people getting stuff done.”
Bell included several members of area churches had been active in providing assistance following the storm. “I’m pretty proud of our faith community. Some of the churches have reached out quietly helping – carrying propane bottles, generators, delivering wood and helping care for the community.” First Baptist Church opened its doors to STEMC crews, providing a place of respite. Area restaurants sponsored meals for the crews.
Other accomplishments within the city were the clearing of the judicial complex parking lot on Eric Bell Drive for Grand Jury Friday, continuation of community survey collections for an upcoming CDBG grant, trash collection discussions concerning a rapidly filling local collection site and inaccessible contractor due to the winter storm and continuation of water and gas through the utility department despite loss of a pump. Bell credits the continuation of utility services to the late Mayor Eddy Patterson. Patterson planned out the system, Bell said. “He built it right and with resilience, robust; it doesn’t have the problems others have.”
Chester County stepped up for neighboring county as well, accepting patients from the Adamsville nursing home last week when they were forced to evacuate as a result of the ice storm. All in all, 80 patients were divided among three facilities, one of those being Chester County Health and Rehab. Bell said Public Works Director Carter Scales and Utility Director Darryl Green worked to clear the road to provide safe access to Juanita Drive for the transports.
Prior to the storm, local emergency service providers gathered to discuss preparations for the storm – to coordinate plans and ideas and make sure everyone was on the same track. Mayor Bell says the group will gather again in the coming days for an After Action Review to discuss what they planned, what was done, what was done right and what needs to be done differently.
For now, the county is still under a state of emergency. EMA Director Connor said the county is still in the response stage, responding to issues and restoring services. Recovery will come, but will take time. The need for assistance has been widespread across the county and much of his time has been spent working to meet the immediate needs within the county. “I’m appreciative of the city for helping with the warming center,” Connor said. “It just takes everybody pulling together.”
Numbers are not yet in for the total number of services lost in Chester County. Connor said the county has two electric providers and four water providers. As services are restored, Connor said it is important to remember that many are still under a boil order for their water, specifically those who receive water from Selmer and Adamsville. Those who have questions about their service should contact the organization directly that provides the services. Mayor Hutcherson said other questions and concerns may be directed to the Chester County Mayor’s office.
Connor is working with TEMA and FEMA, hoping to secure funding for reimbursement and assistance in Chester County and for other agencies and organizations as well.
Watch the Chester County Independent and Chester County Emergency Management Facebook page for more local information on Winter Storm Fern.
