Chattanooga Schools Close Due to Bitter Cold and Power Advisory

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HERE Chattanooga

Chattanooga Schools are closed due to frigid temperatures and energy conservation efforts.

News Summary

Chattanooga is facing extremely cold temperatures, prompting Hamilton County Schools to close on January 22, 2025. In response to a power advisory from the TVA and EPB, residents are urged to conserve energy from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Community members are encouraged to lower their thermostat settings and avoid using high-demand appliances. Local businesses are also invited to take part in energy-saving measures. Despite concerns about potential power outages, TVA assures there will be no rolling blackouts during this cold wave.

Chattanooga Schools Close Amidfrigid Temperatures and Power Advisory

Chattanooga is bracing for an icy day ahead as Hamilton County Schools officially announced their closure for Wednesday, January 22, 2025. This decision comes on the heels of a power advisory issued by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the Electric Power Board (EPB) due to extremely cold temperatures gripping the area. The power advisory emphasizes the need for the community to voluntarily cut down on power usage between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., a period when electricity consumption typically surges.

Freezing Temperatures Prompt Community Action

As the National Weather Service warns of a chilly maximum temperature of just 35 degrees on Wednesday, residents are encouraged to find ways to conserve energy and, hopefully, lower their electricity bills. TVA and EPB thought ahead and provided the advisory a day in advance, allowing families ample time to adjust their routines to save on energy.

To help customers prepare for the cold snap, the EPB has put some helpful tips in place. Households are advised to set their thermostats between 65-68 degrees because every bit counts when it comes to keeping warm and achieving energy savings! It’s also a good idea to hold off on using appliances like clothes dryers, dishwashers, and big ovens during this high-demand period.

Community Efforts to Save Energy

In addition to households, local businesses are encouraged to step up and help with the energy conservation effort too. They can play their part by turning off any unnecessary lights and keeping office machines powered down when not in use. Moreover, it’s recommended that businesses turn off heating systems outside of regular operation hours.

TVA has shared that this current cold snap is pushing electricity demand to near-record highs across the southeastern United States, with January 17, 2024, marking a peak power demand of 34,577 megawatts. To provide a buffer against such extreme weather, TVA invested approximately $430 million in their 2024 budget to enhance the resilience of their system. These improvements include insulated upgrades and protective building enclosures for more vulnerable equipment.

Childcare and After-School Updates

If you have children who attend Hamilton County Schools, there’s some good news amidst the closures. The school district has announced that school-age childcare will be available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at selected locations, including Red Bank Elementary and several others. For those utilizing this service, it’s important for students to pack their own lunch and drinks for the day.

As for after-school activities, school officials will be carefully reviewing the situation and will make an announcement on Wednesday afternoon about whether these events will take place as scheduled.

A Focus On Community Safety

While some residents might worry about blackouts during this unusually cold weather, TVA has reassured everyone they do not expect to implement rolling blackouts this time around. This preventative approach aims to maintain grid stability while assisting in reducing energy bills for the community. So, as we all huddle indoors to stay warm, let’s remember to do our part and follow the power-saving suggestions from TVA and EPB. Stay safe, stay warm, and let’s make it through this chilly phase together!