Post Snowmageddon 2024

It’s been a challenging winter so far for Knoxville residents -- 10 inches of snow followed by a week of single-digit temperatures.  I saw neighbors shoveling snow, buying groceries for others, helping with childcare, running errands and giving rides in their 4x4s. Knoxvillians really lent a hand to those in need. 

Like many families, we faced challenges.  Our heat went out, as did my inlaws’, so I’m grateful for friends with space heaters and HVAC repair skills.

Despite such frustrations, people all over Knoxville responded with care and compassion. After spending time with guests and volunteers at all four warming centers, I am so thankful for Erin Read and the Joint Office on Housing Stability, who coordinated with churches to feed and shelter our unhoused neighbors. Their efforts served as many as 288 people per night.  A special shout-out to our Parks and Rec team, who opened up the South Knox Community Center as an overflow warming center when Vestal UMC reached capacity. We can all be proud of this community-wide effort that undoubtedly saved lives. 

I’m also so proud of the City workers, emergency responders and partners who worked incredibly hard to keep us safe. Our Public Service crews worked 24/7 for 10 straight days, to brine, plow and salt streets. Our police officers and firefighters responded to routine calls, while also handling weather-related traffic issues and transporting people, food and supplies to warming centers and to urgent medical treatments.
I hope you will visit our website to read a by-the-numbers rundown of time and resources committed to keeping our city running and residents safe during this winter storm.

All in all, we have much to be grateful for, including this week’s return to warmer weather.

Thank you, Knoxville!