A Dose of Reality The January 2026 winter storm was a brutal reminder that weather doesn't just impact travel—it tests the physical limits of our infrastructure. As of February 2, 2026, the Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed 25 fatalities . Governor Lee announced a request for an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration for 23 counties. With the addition of over 300,000 power outages across the state and Shelby County facing $5 million in the cost of damages, Tennessee