JACKSON, Tenn. —Madison County Mayor A.J. Massey convened a joint debrief meeting Thursday afternoon with leadership from the City of Jackson, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), the Madison County Highway Department, the Madison County Emergency Management Agency, and the City of Jackson Public Works Division to review the response to the recent winter weather event and identify opportunities for improvement moving forward. The meeting was held as soon as practicable following the storm to ensure lessons learned were captured while details were still fresh.
Participants agreed the storm was an unusually severe and complex event, involving a combination of snow, sleet, freezing rain, and prolonged single-digit temperatures. Those conditions significantly limited the effectiveness of traditional snow and ice removal methods and created challenges across all jurisdictions. While roads are maintained by different entities depending on location, leaders emphasized that residents experience the transportation system as a whole, underscoring the need for close coordination and clear communication.
The discussion focused on practical improvements for future events, including earlier engagement of emergency contractors, evaluating expanded salt storage and supply options, and exploring pretreatment strategies such as salt brine when weather conditions allow. The group also discussed strengthening communication protocols between city, county, and state partners both before and during major winter events, particularly when addressing life-safety concerns, hospital access, emergency routes, and major employment and industrial corridors.
Mayor Massey emphasized the collaborative tone and purpose of the meeting.
“This meeting was not about pointing fingers—it was about making sure we learn from a difficult event and come out better prepared,” said Madison County Mayor A.J. Massey. “When a storm like this hits, the public doesn’t see city roads, county roads, or state routes—they just see roads. Our responsibility is to work together, communicate better, and continually improve how we respond.”
The meeting also highlighted the importance of the local emergency declaration, which allowed agencies to work more flexibly across jurisdictional boundaries to support hospitals, emergency services, and other critical infrastructure. Participants agreed that this level of cooperation should continue to be refined and formalized for future emergencies.
Madison County will continue working closely with the City of Jackson, TDOT, and local departments to follow up on the items discussed and to strengthen coordination ahead of future winter weather events. Mayor Massey also expressed appreciation for the long hours and dedication shown by county, city, and state crews throughout the storm.
