Hardin County weathers rare heavy snow

Jan. 12– Most Hardin County residents weathered "Snowmageddon" without mishap.

True to forecasts, snow began plummeting from thunderclouds Sunday night, leaving a rare white coating of 4-6 inches of white stuff of the perfect consistency for making snowmen by Monday morning.

Near freezing or below temperatures persisted through mid-week. This morning's low was around 13, and the National Weather Service is forecasting a high of only 24 for Savannah, but with sunny skies.

Many schools across west Tennessee closed for a day or more because of hazardous road conditions, including Hardin County and McNairy County public schools, which are closed today for the for third straight day.

From a public safety standpoint, Hardin County Fire Chief Melvin Martin described the local situation as "quieter than usual."

Sand Hill on Tenn. 128 between Walker and Nixon was treacherously slick early Monday. Several vehicles went off the road and into ditches, but no injuries were reported, he said.

"I was actually surprised how fast (the Tennessee Department of Transportation) got the main roads plowed," he said, and the Hardin County Highway Department was also out making the rounds.

Cold temperatures did contribute to one blaze.

Martin said that on Sunday, a dog house on the front porch of a mobile home at 145 Crump Estates Lane in Crump was ignited by a heat lamp being used to warm the canine, which escaped with its life.

The fire "burned a bit of the porch and smoked up the house," said the chief, but the dog dwelling was a total loss.

(Images from the winter weather event can be seen by clicking on the "Photos" button at the top right of this page. To submit photos, along with basic information on the subjects and it was made, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please include "Snow Storm" in the subject line.)