Wilson County Ramps Up Storm Recovery as Crews Work Overtime to Clear Debris
In the wake of last month’s brutal winter storm, cleanup efforts are in full swing across Wilson County. With temperatures finally climbing, residents and emergency crews are making up for lost time, clearing roads and restoring a sense of normalcy after a storm that left a trail of downed trees, icy roads, and extended power outages.
The hardest-hit areas, particularly in northwestern Wilson County, are now buzzing with the sound of chainsaws and heavy equipment. The storm, which rolled in on Jan. 24, dumped two inches of snow and layered on about half an inch of ice, according to the National Weather Service in Nashville. While that might not sound like much on paper, the combination of snow, ice, and wind proved devastating for trees and power lines.
One of the residents still dealing with the aftermath is James Auman of Old Hickory. His home on Lakeshore Drive took a direct hit from the storm’s icy grip. The damage started early on Jan. 25, when Auman was jolted awake by the sound of tree limbs snapping under the weight of the ice.
“It started sounding like gunshots,” Auman recalled. “These magnolias took a big hit because these big leaves catch way more ice. They were just snapping, and it sounded like shattering glass when the leaves hit the ground.”
The situation escalated when a nearby tree, weakened by the storm and driven by gusting winds, came down-taking a power line and transformer with it. The road, which serves as a key route for emergency vehicles, was temporarily blocked. Auman quickly contacted the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office, and within an hour, the obstruction was cleared.
Thanks to the work of Middle Tennessee Electric crews, power was restored to Auman’s home after about 36 hours. He was quick to credit the nonstop efforts of utility workers and first responders.
“There were people here every couple of hours working on something,” he said. “They were incredible.”
By Monday, Auman had shifted his focus to cleanup, dragging fallen limbs to the roadside for county crews to collect. “I didn’t know what I was going to do. I was thinking I was going to have bonfires for months,” he joked.
He’s not alone. Starting Feb.
2, Wilson County Road Commission crews, along with contracted partner Custom Tree Care, began collecting storm-related debris from county-owned roads. The goal: clear out the massive piles of limbs, branches, and downed trees that now line many streets.
Lebanon and Mt. Juliet are rolling out similar efforts. In Lebanon, city crews began debris pickup on Feb. 2 and will continue making rounds throughout the month.
“We understand with the amount of broken limbs and downed trees it will take time for people to get debris to the street,” said Lebanon Mayor Rick Bell. “Therefore, crews will make rounds for the entirety of February.”
Mt. Juliet residents are also being asked to place vegetative debris no more than 10 feet from the roadway-without blocking it-and to cut large branches into 3-foot-long sections.
As the cleanup continues, most warming shelters that opened during the storm have now closed. Wilson County Schools, which had been shut down since Jan. 26, are set to reopen Feb.
- Some roads may still have icy patches, according to the district’s alert to parents.
The Lebanon Special School District has also resumed classes after a weeklong closure.
But even as the physical damage is being cleared, county officials are warning residents to stay alert for a different kind of threat: scams. In the chaos following a major storm, unlicensed contractors and fraudulent businesses often try to take advantage of homeowners in need of repairs.
The Wilson County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to verify that any contractor or cleanup service is properly licensed and accredited before hiring. The Better Business Bureau Serving Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky is available to help with verification at 615-242-4222.
For those still navigating the recovery process, here are key contacts for assistance:
WHO TO CALL
STATE RESOURCES
- TEMA Tennessee Disaster Information Hotline - 1-844-4TENN-4U (1-844-483-6648)
- Crisis Cleanup (Free storm-related property cleanup) - 844-965-1386
- TDOT Pothole Repairs - 833-TDOTFIX or submit online: TDOT Maintenance Request
- TBI Wellness Checks - 1-800-TBI-FIND (1-800-824-3463)
WILSON COUNTY
- Wilson County Mayor’s Office (Debris Pickup) - 615-444-1383
LEBANON
- Public Works Department (Debris Pickup) - 615-444-0825
MT. JULIET
- Public Works Department - 615-773-7957 Debris should be no more than 10 feet from the roadway Tree trunks and branches should be cut into 3-foot sections
With cleanup efforts now in high gear and community support running strong, Wilson County is proving once again that when the weather turns harsh, the people here respond with grit, teamwork, and resilience.