Sheriff’s offices and departments collaborate with county emergency managers to determine whether current conditions with the weather and roadways constitute issuing a snow emergency level. Since 1994, county sheriffs have had the authority to issue snow emergencies, using guidelines given by the state.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) has declared a state of emergency as a major snow event is expected across the Volunteer State.

Tennessee residents should prepare for the system to bring winter weather impacts as early as Thursday evening for the western region.”