Sheriff warns of icy roads as Winter Storm Fern impacts region

The Unicoi County Sheriff's Department is urging drivers to use extreme caution as icy road conditions persist across Erwin following Winter Storm Fern. Dispatchers with the department said Monday morning that roads throughout Unicoi County were covered in ice, with some areas lightly dusted with snow. Salt trucks were actively treating roadways as freezing temperatures continued. Sheriff Mike Hensley warned drivers, particularly those unfamiliar with the area, about hazardous sections of roadway that tend to ice over before surrounding areas. "I want to reach out to all the young drivers and new citizens that live on the south end of Unicoi County," Hensley said in an online statement. "If you use the Old Asheville Highway frequently, familiarize yourself with the Hensley Curve located in Earnestville and the Treadway Curve below Rocky Fork. These two curves will ice over when the rest of the highway is just wet during winter." Winter Storm Fern moved through the Tri-Cities region over the weekend, with warmer air limiting snowfall in Unicoi County but creating widespread icing as rain froze on contact with road surfaces. A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect as cold temperatures continue. In response to the ongoing weather conditions, the Unicoi County Emergency Operations Center was activated Saturday evening and remains staffed around the clock. County officials said personnel are monitoring conditions and coordinating response efforts. A warming station has been open nightly since Jan. 23 and will continue operating through Jan. 27 from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. at 615 S. Main Ave. in Erwin, providing a warm place for those in need during overnight hours. At the state level, federal disaster assistance has been approved to support Tennessee's response to the winter storm that began Jan. 22. FEMA is authorized to coordinate emergency relief efforts statewide, with emergency protective measures eligible for 75 percent federal funding. On Monday morning, Erwin Utilities reported responding to a power outage along Highway 107 in Limestone Cove community. Extended forecast for Erwin shows cold and icy conditions continuing through next week: Monday was windy with very cold temperatures near 24°F and lows around 1°F. Tuesday through Thursday will be cold with highs in the 30s or low 30s and overnight lows well below freezing. Friday through Sunday remains cold with highs near 27–36°F and lows in the single digits to low teens. A High Wind Warning and Cold Weather Advisories are in effect for parts of the region, with dangerous wind chills at times. Current reports across Tennessee and nearby regions show snow accumulations in parts of Middle Tennessee ranging from a couple of inches around Nashville up to higher amounts in northern counties, with freezing rain and ice building on roads in many areas.