Metro Council to Meet Tonight as Nashville Grapples with Winter Storm Aftermath and Power Outages

Council Convenes Amid Ongoing State of Emergency

The Nashville Metropolitan Council is scheduled to meet tonight, Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the David Scobey Council Chamber at the Historic Metro Courthouse. The session comes at a critical time for the city as residents and officials continue to navigate the recovery efforts following the devastating impact of Winter Storm Fern, which struck the region in late January.

The meeting follows an executive order issued by Mayor Freddie O’Connell earlier this week, which extended the city’s State of Emergency for an additional seven days. Council members are expected to discuss the ongoing logistics of the recovery and the emergency services required to assist the thousands of Nashvillians still facing hardships from the freezing conditions.

Investigation into Nashville Electric Service Response

A primary point of discussion for tonight’s session and the preceding committee meetings is the performance of the Nashville Electric Service (NES). On Monday, Mayor O’Connell issued Executive Order 58, establishing a formal commission to review the utility's preparation and response to the winter storm. As of today, tens of thousands of homes and businesses remain without power, with some restoration timelines stretching toward the end of the week.

Legislators are expected to address the mayor's criticisms of NES, which he recently described as “unequipped to communicate about a crisis.” The newly formed commission will have the authority to hold hearings and involve the Metropolitan Nashville Auditor to investigate why restoration efforts have faced such significant delays and communication breakdowns.

Today’s Committee and Meeting Schedule

Before the full council session begins, several committees will meet to handle specific legislative tasks and presentations:

• Rules, Confirmations, and Public Elections Committee: Meeting at 5:15 p.m. to discuss appointments and upcoming local elections.
• Government Operations and Regulations Committee: Gathering at 5:30 p.m. to review departmental efficiency and regulatory updates.
• Announcements and Presentations: A brief session at 6:00 p.m. to recognize community milestones and provide updates on storm recovery resources.

The evening will conclude with the regularly scheduled Metropolitan Council meeting. Members of the public can attend in person at the courthouse or view the proceedings live via the Metro Nashville Network. Residents are encouraged to monitor updates as the council evaluates potential legislative actions to improve the city's future infrastructure resilience against extreme weather events.