I’d be lying if I said this week felt normal. Nashville and much of Tennessee just got hit by one of the most damaging ice/winter storms in recent memory. The weather wasn’t just a headline; it changed people’s lives in real time.

The winter storm that swept through Nashville and much of Tennessee is still being felt well after the ice and snow moved out. While conditions have improved in some areas, recovery continues for thousands of families, and officials say this event will be remembered as one of the most disruptive ice storms the region has seen in years.

• More than 230,000 NES customers lost power at the height of the storm, marking one of the largest outage events in Nashville’s history
•Thousands of homes across Middle Tennessee are still without reliable electricity, with restoration expected to take several more days
• Ice, not snow, caused the most damage, bringing down trees and power lines and slowing repairs
• At least 20 weather related deaths have been reported statewide, tied to crashes, exposure, and storm related emergencies
• Tennessee led the nation in power outages at one point, highlighting how widespread the damage was
• Dangerously cold temperatures remain a concern, especially for those still without heat

This wasn’t just a tough winter weekend. It exposed how quickly conditions can escalate and how long recovery can take once ice grips the region.

(*Stats compiled from NewsChannel 5 reporting, NES updates, and The Weather Channel.)

This storm forced a lot of us to rethink how we prepare, how we check on neighbors, and how fragile our infrastructure can be when everything freezes at once.

There’s a lot that can be done to make change for the better of us all.

RESCUING DOGS FROM THE FRIGID COLD:
As Winter Storm Fern hit Middle Tennessee, Animal Rescue Corps rushed to save 42 dogs and puppies kept outdoors in freezing conditions. They’re now safe and warm. 🐾 (DONATE HERE)

WINTER STORM RELIEF FUND:
NewsChannel 5 will work with Second Harvest Food Bank and Hands On Nashville to aid our neighbors impacted by the storm. (RELIEF FUND)

• SO, WHERE WAS I?: A quick note on my planned trip to Costa Rica, the Blue Zone I visited, and why I was there. (WATCH THE VIDEO)

As always, feel free to send suggestions for stories, places, or things you think I should check out next.

Thanks again for being here! If you’ve got a story tip, a question, or just want to say hello — hit reply. I read them.

Stay warm. Check on your people. We’ll keep covering what matters as it unfolds.

— Nick