Clay Officials Encourage Simple Practices To Avoid Drowning
Clay County officials said simple water safety practices on Dale Hollow Lake can help you avoid a late summer incident. Clay County Emergency Management Director Kyle Haney said safety guidelines from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers encourage smarter decision-making on the water. Haney said the initiative aims to ensure that everyone utilizing the county’s […]
Putnam Leaders Break Ground On $11.2M Expo Center
Putnam County officials broke ground Friday on a new 67,000-square-foot Expo Center designed to serve as a driver for tourism. County Mayor Randy Porter said the $11.2 million project is being funded primarily through an $8.75 million Community Development Block Grant for Disaster Recovery. Porter said the federal and state funding covers some 78 percent […]
Overton Recoups Six Figures In Winter Disaster Funding
Overton County set to receive more than $100,000 in federal reimbursement funds to cover infrastructure damages and emergency costs incurred during February’s winter weather. Overton County EMA Director Chris Masiongale said FEMA will reimburse local departments for repairs and services. Masiongale said the funding will be distributed back to the highway department and local water […]
Heavy Rainfall A Threat Across UC, Flooding A Concern
Emergency management officials warning residents across the Upper Cumberland to prepare for heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding during the next 48 hours. A weather system moving through the region threatens to drop up to four inches of rain through Sunday. Putnam County Deputy Director of Emergency Management Tyler Smith said the primary concern involves […]
Emergency Declared After Historic Fentress County Flooding
Fentress County Executive Jimmy Johnson declared a state of emergency Monday morning following weekend flooding that left several communities inaccessible and caused significant damage. Fentress County Emergency Management Agency Director James Bilbrey said the floods this weekend were some of the worst he has ever seen. Bilbrey said the northern end of the county near […]
Rare Storm Spotter Class Coming To Putnam Tuesday
The National Weather Service will host an in-person SkyWarn storm spotter class Tuesday at the Putnam County Convention Center to help citizens identify and report severe weather. Putnam County Emergency Management Deputy Director Tyler Smith is helping organize the two-hour training session. The program aims to educate the public on basic thunderstorm development and fundamental […]
Emergency Management Urges Residents To Prepare
Upper Cumberland residents are being encouraged to prepare now as winter weather uncertainty continues ahead of the weekend. Putnam County Emergency Management Director Brandon Smith said the most important step families can take is having conversations about personal safety and backup plans. “The best thing folks can do right now is spend some time having […]
Local Workforce Development Sponsors EMS Apprenticeship
Upper Cumberland Workforce Connections is helping develop Advanced EMS Apprenticeship programs across the area. Jeremiah Miller is the Assistant Director of the Upper Cumberland Workforce Development Board. He said funding came from the state’s Rural Healthcare Initiative because several area counties needed to address their EMS. Miller said apprenticeships are one of the truest forms […]
Putnam 911 Getting New GIS Admin, Sharing With EMA
Putnam County 911 creating a new GIS System Administrator position pending the County Commission’s final budget approval. Geographic Information Systems help emergency services quickly locate and respond to emergency situations. 911 Director Penny Foister said EMA Director Brandon Smith no longer has time to handle the responsibilities. “What we’re asking for, and it’s in Brandon’s […]
Clay Emergency Management Hosting Spotter Training
Clay County training this weekend will teach storm spotters to assist the National Weather Service Emergency Management Director Kyle Haney said the training will review the difference between watches and warnings and what determines those classifications for the National Weather Service. Haney said storm spotters play an important role informing the National Weather Service. “They […]
