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Nashville opens warming centers and transport hotline; officials urge 911 for medical emergencies
Summary
Mayor and emergency officials described warming centers, a transportation hotline (615-401-1712), partner meal operations and shelter capacity; officials said hospitals and critical care sites are prioritized for power restoration and urged families to call 911 for urgent medical needs.
City officials identified three primary warming locations with overnight accommodations and food — the Nashville Fairgrounds, the Madison Community Center and the Southeast Community Center — and said Nashvillians can also use many Nashville Fire Department stations and several police precincts for warming.
The mayor said the metro transportation hotline for getting to warming centers is (615) 401‑1712 and that callers should be ready to provide their name, location, number of people, mobility needs and whether they have pets. The Department of Emergency Communications (DEC) is staffing the hotline and coordinating dispatch to move people to nearby warming locations.
Officials said shelters and partners were providing large‑scale capacity. The mayor noted "last night around 439 Nashvillians were able to access a warm safe place" and later briefers said shelter partners (the Nashville Rescue Mission, Room in the End and Launchpad) were providing shelter for "nearly 1,400 people each night." Food partners include World Central Kitchens; officials said Chef José Andrés’ team had served at the Monroe Street Kroger site and planned to provide lunch in Richland Park.
Reporters pressed officials about nursing homes and assisted‑living facilities operating on single generators. City leaders said hospitals are the top priority for restoration, followed by other critical‑care facilities and customers with documented critical medical needs. "The ideal situation is to keep them in place because...there's special needs," Director Chief Swan said; he added that if evacuation is necessary the city will move residents and that, in the event of a medical emergency, people should call 911.
Officials emphasized documenting damage and following official channels: the emergency declaration enables resource coordination, and the city will provide further guidance on small business assistance and documentation for recovery claims.
Officials asked residents to use 911 only for life‑threatening emergencies and to use the transportation hotline for shelter transport requests so 9‑1‑1 lines remain clear for urgent medical response.
