{ "id": "2026-01-23-university-of-tennessee-knoxville-winter-storm", "slug": "university-of-tennessee-knoxville-winter-storm-2026-01-23", "institution": { "name": "University of Tennessee, Knoxville", "shortName": "UT Knoxville", "state": "TN", "type": "public-r1", "alertSystemName": "UT Alert", "enrollment": 36000 }, "incident": { "date": "2026-01-23", "endDate": "2026-02-03", "type": "winter-storm", "cleryCategory": "advisory", "resolution": "campus-reopened", "headline": "Winter storm closes campus for eleven days after water-system damage", "headlinePublic": "Winter storm closes campus for eleven days after water-system damage", "summary": "Beginning Friday, January 23, 2026, [UT Knoxville issued preliminary winter-storm guidance](https://safety.utk.edu/status/2026/01/23/campus-winter-storm-preparation/) for an impactful storm forecast to hit Knoxville on Saturday, January 24 and Sunday, January 25, 2026 followed by extreme cold. The university [closed or canceled classes through at least Monday, February 2, 2026](https://mississippitoday.org/2026/02/03/school-closures-southeast-winter-storm/), part of a broader Southeast school-closure event. Campus operations [returned to normal by February 19, 2026](https://safety.utk.edu/status/2026/02/19/campus-and-emergency-updates/), but lingering ice and water-system challenges persisted across East Tennessee for more than a week.", "outcome": "UT Knoxville closed or canceled classes for approximately 11 days as the winter storm dropped ice, then sub-freezing temperatures damaged water systems across East Tennessee. Campus operations returned to normal by February 19, 2026. Faculty were prepared to teach virtual classes if effects carried into the following week." }, "alerts": [ { "sequence": 1, "type": "initial", "timestamp": "2026-01-23T15:00:00-05:00", "channel": "multi-channel", "verbatimText": "", "isVerbatimConfirmed": false, "sourceDescription": "Reconstructed from the UT Knoxville Public Safety status page announcement of campus winter-storm preparation published January 23, 2026", "annotations": [] }, { "sequence": 2, "type": "update", "timestampApprox": "Approximately January 26, 2026 — the Monday morning after the weekend storm, when most campus closures were announced", "channel": "multi-channel", "verbatimText": "", "isVerbatimConfirmed": false, "sourceDescription": "Reconstructed from East Tennessee school-closure lists and the UT Knoxville status page; the standard UT Alert winter-storm closure template", "annotations": [] }, { "sequence": 3, "type": "update", "timestamp": "2026-01-23T17:19:00-05:00", "channel": "email", "verbatimText": "With the increasing likelihood of an impactful winter storm affecting Knoxville and the region on Saturday, January 24, and Sunday, January 25, followed by very cold temperatures, we are providing preliminary guidance to help the campus community prepare should the effects of the storm extend into next week.\n\nIn the event of a closure or delay because of weather, the university will notify the campus community via UT Alert and official UT social media accounts. The university’s inclement weather procedure can also be found on the public safety website.\n\nCampus Operations and Student Services\n\n- Residence halls will remain open for students housed on campus. Students who need assistance may visit their residence hall front desk or contact their Resident Assistant (RA).\n\n- TRECS will operate on an abbreviated schedule on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Please visit recsports.utk.edu for the most up-to-date hours.\n\n- Rocky Top Dining Hall, Stokley Dining Hall, residence P.O.D. markets, Cumberland Food Hall, and Chick-fil-A on Cumberland Avenue will remain open.\n\n- The Student Union will be closed for non-dining activities over the weekend. Student Union Vol Dining locations in the food court, Starbucks, VolBooks, and VolSnacks will have limited hours.\n\n- For current dining locations and hours, visit dining.utk.edu or follow @VolDining on Instagram and Facebook.\n\nAcademic and Work Continuity\n\n- Faculty should prepare for the possibility of teaching classes virtually if needed.\n\n- Employees who are able to work remotely should take home any necessary computer equipment and materials. Remote, hybrid, and essential employees should coordinate plans with their supervisor. Employees unsure of their essential status should contact their supervisor for clarification.\n\nParking and Transportation\n\n- Students and employees are asked to remove vehicles from the top floor of parking garages and from surface lots Friday, January 23, to allow for more effective snow removal if needed.\n\n- Non-commuters are also encouraged to move vehicles into parking garages on Friday, January 23.\n\nWeather Conditions and Updates\n\n- The forecast continues to evolve. As of this morning, the National Weather Service reports low confidence regarding precipitation types (snow, sleet, freezing rain, or rain) and potential accumulations.\n\n- In the event of a closure or delay due to weather, the university will notify the campus community through UT Alert and official UT social media accounts, as well as here on this page.\n\n- University of Tennessee Police Department will post updates on their social media platforms as well. (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram)\n\nWe will continue to monitor conditions closely and will share additional information as the situation develops.\n\nStay safe and thank you for your flexibility and preparedness.", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://safety.utk.edu/status/2026/01/23/campus-winter-storm-preparation/", "sourceDescription": "UT Knoxville Public Safety status page, Campus Winter Storm Preparation, published January 23, 2026", "annotations": [ "2026-09-13 catch-up b9 P2 .edu. Dual HTML extract of entry-content (paragraphs and list items). Official status-page product, distinct from the reconstructed UT Alert SMS on seq 1-2, which stay unconfirmed. Page