Posted on 01/01/2008 7:19:53 PM PST by don-o
The Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Tennessee Highway Patrol are joining a new national safe winter driving campaign called, “Ice and Snow: Take it Slow.”
“TDOT is ready to work around the clock to keep our roadways clear of ice and snow this winter,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “We also want drivers to remember that winter conditions call for different driving tactics, so when you’re driving in ice and snow, take it slow — slower speed, slower acceleration, slower steering and slower braking.”
TDOT and the THP remind motorists to dial *THP from any cellular phone should they become stranded or need assistance when on the road.
Department of Safety Commissioner Dave Mitchell added, “Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers are ready to assist those who need help on the road, but the best way a motorist can help is to be prepared before hitting the road by properly maintaining your vehicle, clearing your windshield of ice and snow, and making sure your tires are road ready.”
When snow hits Tennessee, TDOT maintenance crews will focus on clearing interstates and heavily traveled state routes first, specifically targeting areas vulnerable to freezing like hills curves, ramps, bridges and interchanges.
“When our crews hit the road, it’s important for motorists to use caution around snowplows,” said TDOT Maintenance Director Greg Duncan. “Make sure you maintain a safe distance and don’t tailgate or stop too close to a snowplow. They are usually spreading salt or brine from the back of the truck, and those materials can damage vehicle paint.”
TDOT has nearly 200,000 tons of salt and more than 1.6 million gallons of salt brine ready for use. The department dedicates more than $12.6 million a year to snow and ice removal operations across the state. During a typical snowstorm, crews begin by first apply anti-icing brine to roadways. Sand, salt and calcium chloride may then be used to remove any accumulating snow and ice.
TDOT also monitors roadway conditions through the Roadway Information System (RWIS). The department has 37 RWIS stations statewide. The stations monitor a variety of weather related factors such as air temperatures; dew point; wind speed/direction; precipitation types and rates; and asphalt temperatures. The system alerts TDOT maintenance supervisors when freezing conditions are imminent.
All Tennesseans can monitor roadway conditions before leaving home by visiting the Tennessee 511 Web site at www.tn511.com or by dialing 511 from any land line or cellular phone.
“It’s important to plan ahead before you leave the house,” Nicely said. “So before you leave home, ask yourself, if it’s snowing should I be going?”
Yeah, I believe that storm went through here about 8 hours after Portland. Freezing rain on packed snow...forget 4WD/AWD or even studded tires if it’s steep enough. Chains will pretty much work as long as you keep the speed down (way down).
I remember it. LOL I had to climb out of the windows to get out of my home. I have a double wide and had built a deck half way around it. Doors open out not in. I went of a window. Then I hiked out to my parents to get a Coleman stove and a kero heater and pack it back in up the ridge to keep the house warm. My parents faired better they had two fireplaces and wood burning stoves. Next one I was the proud owner of a 78 Chevy K-5 Blazer. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow :>} A few more years later another one at least just as deep hit around Knoxville. I was ready.
More Tennesseans on Ice ...
Looked like a slow night on base and a few beers at the club!
I spent the winter of 76-77 at Great Lakes RTC/NTC going through basic and ATF. Coldest winter on record at the time I think. During Basic before Christmas we suspended marching and uniform of the day on several ocassions. Survival was the rule. Get to chow or where ever the best you could as quick as you could to get warm.
Back home here in East Tennessee even the lakes were freezing over. But unless the temps dive and stay below freezing during the next two weeks we likely won't see any bad snow storms. I doubt you would fine complainers if we did. Any form of percipitation now is very welcomed here.
Because you can't wipe with bread and milk.
Biggest mess I ever saw...We had three service trucks on the road that day and lost one to a wreck.
So now if ole Leland says snow flurrys today..No School...
Snowbird is very happy...((;O)
Looks like the snow belts around the Great Lakes.
We had about 172 flakes today.
This evening, 20 cars piled up on 840 and 65.
The good news is, when it snows here in Tennessee, the next day it’s 70 degrees! We only have two seasons, Summer and February.
In that particular snow storm, I was trapped on an elevator with an electrician for over an hour! It was at a building that was under construction but was nearly finished. the Elevator tech had just left and the motherboard in for the elevator fried. We were trapped on the top floor so opening the top hatch got us nowhere. We were screaming for help but construction workers were running saws on the first floor (only two floors) and no one could hear us. The snow had started about the time we got on the elevator. The other workers knocked off early for fear of being stranded by the snow and the sit just got quieter and quieter. Cell phone calls to my office were to no avail because they had all gone home early as well. Through an elaborate series of phone calls, I was able to get someone at the main office of the construction company and the contacted the Superintendent. The Elevator tech had already left for the day and was very reluctant to return. After a very long wait we were rescued and when we emerged from the elevator we were shocked at the blanket of deep snow that had not been predicted.
Have you noticed that the station that predicts the most severe weather, gets the ratings? If everyone else is predicting one inch and one station is predicting three, everyone watches THAT channel. It’s a ratings scam.
They CAN do 70 mph. They just can't turn or stop.
btw I'm amazed you had cell service...best we could do was text.
I've been stuck on a few myself. Only one I could not get out of and that was because the door actually jammed shut. I had to wait on a guy I worked with to come in and get me out. Lucky for me he lived nearby. Usually I was the rescuer to ones trapped too as I was the on duty maintenance mechanic. I know how to get in and out from both sides and carried a flatheat screwdriver to trip the doors open on the lobby side.
At the risk of sounding redundant, I’m sure glad it never snows in Eureka...
Second worse winter storm I drove through was in a rig headed south in early 1985 from Chicago to Knoxville. It was snowing so hard I couldn’t pull over and the snow was as high as the bumper on the Freightliner on the road. All Rest Areas and parking lots from Indy on down were done filled. You do not stop on the shoulder during a snow storm anywhere north of Lexington as the drifts can bury the truck even an 18 wheeler.
I drove all night through it till I got to the Tennessee Kentucky line at Jellico. My driving partner woke up and said OK I’ll drive now. I told him sit down and hold on. I knew that mountain like the back of my hand. We were on the steep but short side. About the time we got to the top it was sleet and an easy trip on in to the house.
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