At the request of Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, nearly 300 Guardsmen are supporting state,

county, and local partners in 23 counties, working alongside agencies including myTDOT, Tennessee Department of Agriculture, local emergency management agencies, and utility providers.

Teams are assisting with downed trees affecting access to power infrastructure, conducting health and welfare checks, and supporting partner agencies as infrastructure repairs continue.

In Davidson County, nearly 180 Soldiers and Airmen are supporting recovery efforts. National Guard teams are partnered with Nashville Electric Service, Tennessee Department of Transportation, Nashville Department of Transportation, and other state and local agencies where they are utilizing skid steers and chainsaws to assist with the removal of trees and debris impeding NES linemen. The Tennessee Guardsmen are organized into 3-4 person “Cut and Toss” teams, primarily clearing trees so NES can access downed and damaged powerlines and restore power. Today these Guardsmen supported NES along Clonmel Road, Overton Road, the Richland Meadows subdivision, and various other sites.

Guardsmen are performing similar missions in 22 other counties that include Cheatham, Chester, Clay, Davidson, Decatur, Dickson, Hardeman, Hardin, Henderson, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Macon, Maury, McNairy, Perry, Robertson, Rutherford, Shelby, Sumner, Wayne, Williamson, and Wilson Counties. These National Guardsmen have partnered with their respective county Emergency Management Agencies and the U.S. and Tennessee Forestry Services to open roadways and restore power to Tennesseans. In Perry County, Soldiers with Chattanooga’s 35th Division Sustainment Brigade are also performing health and welfare checks and assisting at a local warming shelter. Guardsmen in Shelby County assisted with transporting patients to area hospitals.

The Tennessee National Guard remains ready to support Tennesseans and our partner agencies as recovery efforts continue across the state.