Power Returns to Belmont, Though Conditions Remain Dangerous

Fallen tree lands on power line. (Georgina America)

After roughly 18 hours of slippery walks across campus to get food and find warmth, Belmont’s power is restored. 

“It’s a relief, honestly. Yesterday was pretty rough; I had no power… I know a lot of people that didn’t have anywhere to go,” said freshman Benjamin Goldberg. 

Belmont’s power was restored at 5:04 a.m., but there are still nearly 170,000 people without power across the area that Nashville Electric Service distributes power to. NES is ranked first for total power outages nationwide, according to PowerOutage.com. 

Though sunny conditions are predicted for Monday, the National Weather Service website forecasts extreme wind chills and the possibility of a flash freeze in the evening that will stretch into early Tuesday morning.  

“I’m really going to be OK as long as we don’t lose any power,” said freshman Danielle Guarin. “I’ve experienced something like this, but it's very rare.” 

Any partial melting that occurs Monday will likely freeze again, and the NWS warns that travel will remain dangerous.  

While travel is dangerous, some students’ options have been limited in other ways. Senior Kirby Markham came to campus from a friend’s house on Sunday but had to use a rideshare app because fallen tree limbs trapped her car. 

“My car is behind a bunch of trees right now, it’s super screwed… I can’t get out,” she said. 

Two large tree limbs fell on powerlines on the residential side of Caldwell Avenue Sunday and remain unmoved; many students are staying on campus to avoid the similar circumstances on the road. 

“I won’t leave for a while,” said Goldberg. “I think it’s gonna get even more icy, because it’s just going to get colder and colder.” 

Frozen truck on Caldwell Avenue. (Georgina America)

Harrington Place Dining plans to stay open until 9 p.m. for students looking for meals, and Campus Security remains at full operational hours.  

Tuesday has been declared as another president’s and provost’s administrative day, so classes are again canceled and offices will remain closed. 

This article was written by Georgina America