Level 2 state of emergency declared

The impact of this week's cold weather has caused a major disaster in Tennessee, according to a Tennessee Emergency Management Agency news release.

Gov. Bill Haslam and TEMA Deputy Commissioner David Purkey elevated the state of emergency to a Level 2 designation as of 3 p.m., Saturday.

The elevated status means a major disaster has exceeded the capabilities of local governments to handle relief efforts, requiring state and federal help. Attributing to the designation were the snow and ice storms that hit the state overnight Friday and into Saturday.

The heaviest impacts are in the Cumberland Plateau area with damage reports and power outages widespread in Cumberland, Fentress, Overton, Putnam and White counties, the release says.

The state is expected to see continued low temperatures and precipitation in the coming days.

In response to the conditions, the Tennessee National Guard is deploying aid to White County. And the Tennessee Division of Forestry has chainsaw crews working in numerous counties to clear road debris.

The American Red Cross and Tennessee Department of Human Services are identifying needs for mass sheltering due to power outages.

And the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency is performing wellness checks in areas of the state.

More than 50,000 people are without power in 12 counties, according to the release. And 18 weather-related fatalities have been recorded since Feb. 16.