Winter Storm Fern Disaster Information Masterpost

From the Lewis County Government Facebook page. Pulled 12:47pm on January 30, 2026.

• Warming Shelters with food, water and electricity are available in the Community Building at the Park…the High Forest Gym at the War Memorial Building…and the Trumpet in the Wilderness Church at 312 Swan Avenue.

• If you or someone you know needs urgent assistance, please contact Dispatch at (931) 796-3616 or (931) 796-3640. This could be for medical care, welfare check, transportation to a Warming Shelter, etc.

• If you would like to donate items or contribute financially to a warming shelter or those in need, please contact Tonya Woodward at (931) 306-7956, or Denise Webb at (931) 628-3140. There are currently between 25-50 people in the warming shelters. Needs include clean pillows, extension cords/surge protectors, food and drinks.

• If you need to report a power outage, please call MLEC at (888) 879-6038, or (800) 482-6553, or (931) 796-3116. There is not an estimated time frame when power will be restored, because this is not your typical power outage. Factors include location, accessibility, damage to lines, poles, transformers, etc.

• If you have concerns about state highways or county roads, please call the State/TDOT at (615) 350-4300 or the County/Hwy Dept at (931) 796-2287. Please remember there are over 300 county roads and hundreds of miles of roadway to maintain in Lewis County, with less than 25 employees.

• My (Jonah Keltner, Mayor) personal cell phone number is (931) 628-3003. If there is something I can help you with, please call or text me anytime. I may not have the answer or help you need, but hopefully I can point you in the direction of someone who does.

A message from Lewis County Mayor, Jonah Keltner:

Over the past 48 hours, Lewis County has endured the worst natural disaster in our modern history. “Winter Storm Fern” left no corner of our county untouched.

Thousands of our family members, friends and neighbors have suffered, and many are still suffering, through extended power outages, lack of running water, no heat, limited communication, and impassable roads.

Homes, businesses, churches, organizations and public facilities across Lewis County have sustained millions of dollars in damage.

And yet, through all of this hardship, Lewis County is still standing.

Over the last two days I watched Lewis Countians do what Lewis Countians have always done in times of crisis…and that’s show up for one another.

I have seen neighbors helping neighbors. Strangers helping strangers. People of every race, religion, income level and political background coming together with patience, compassion, and love.

They say a community’s true character is revealed in times of tragedy. Once again, Lewis County has proven it is built on grit, strength, volunteerism, determination, and most of all, heart.

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the hundreds of men and women who have been out on the front lines battling this storm around the clock.

This includes our Law Enforcement officers, Fire & Rescue personnel, EMS, EMA, State Forestry, MLEC & Contractors, the Highway Department, and TDOT. Your courage and dedication have saved lives.

Thank you to the City of Hohenwald and Lewis County Government employees, as well as our Elected Officials and community leaders who stepped in wherever help was needed.

Thank you to the individuals, churches, businesses, civic organizations, and non-profits who opened their doors, donated money and supplies, and cared for those in need.

Thank you to our local media partners at the Lewis County Herald and WMLR, who worked tirelessly to keep our community informed during rapidly changing conditions.

Thank you to the countless private citizens who jumped in without being asked, from those with boots on the ground cutting trees, checking on neighbors, and delivering supplies…to those who couldn’t leave their homes but lifted this county up through prayer.

Thank you to the families of our emergency workers and public servants, the ones who stayed behind while their loved ones worked long, dangerous hours to protect others. Your sacrifice does not go unnoticed.

And finally, thank you to our often unseen but absolutely essential heroes at Dispatch, who have worked nonstop behind the scenes to keep emergency crews informed, coordinated, and moving in the right direction.

In closing, I encourage everyone to keep fighting, keep your head up, and keep your faith in God.

WE ARE LEWIS COUNTY. WE WILL SURVIVE. And while we may come out of this storm with some scars, we will endure…we will rebuild…and we will emerge stronger than ever before.

God bless each of you, and God bless Lewis County!

See the original post on Facebook: