KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. — People across East Tennessee are being asked to stay inside and off the roads while a winter storm brings snow, ice and dangerously low temperatures. In Knox County though, public works crews are doing exactly the opposite.
Instead, they are using massive pieces of equipment to clear snow and ice as it develops, hoping to prevent extremely dangerous situations and making way for first responders who still answer the call when someone needs help. Tuesday marks the third night in a row that crews have spent clearing the roads.
People are asked to stay inside as they work, keeping everyone safe.
"You know, their lives and their safety, from my perspective, is in my hands. And, you know, I can't, I'd hate if I hit somebody — especially by accident," said Lindon Kitts, plow truck driver for Knox County. "Be patient with us. You know, we're human beings, too, and there ain't but so many of us to go around."
The job is complicated, implementing a range of equipment to clear roads and using a lab of different chemicals to prevent ice from forming.
"We're not miracle workers, for sure. People think the plow just comes out and pushes the road and throws a little salt down, and it's ready to go. But, unfortunately, it does not work that way," said Kitts. "As a plow driver, we don't want to go home with a bad conscience on us, knowing that we caused harm to somebody or caused a death — an unneeded death."
Temperatures are projected to fall into the single digits Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, and road conditions are expected to worsen. Snow that may have melted during the daytime when the sun was out can instead turn to black ice — causing cars to slide and lose traction.
"Once it freezes back, it don't matter how much salt or whatever is on it. It ain't gonna, it's going to get slick, unfortunately," said Kitts.
As a way to show thanks to crews for working around the clock on the roads, Yassin's Falafel House prepared meals for them — delivering warm meals to people who spend hours in the cold.