Knoxville officials hold press conference before snow arrives in East Tennessee [Video]

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — During a press conference Friday morning, Knoxville officials outlined their winter storm preparations as East Tennessee braces for expected snow. 

What does the city have prepared? 

Mayor Indya Kincannon announced the city has 2,000 tons of salt ready and has already brined level 1 and 2 roads. Fleet services will operate 24/7 to maintain snow plows and other vehicles. 

The Knoxville-Knox County Emergency Management Agency is opening its emergency operations center to coordinate response efforts. 

Assistant Chief Mark Wilbanks said the Knoxville Fire Department will limit its response to quick-response vehicles once the snow starts falling. “We’re going to do everything we can to keep the big fire trucks off the streets,” he said.

Officials said they’ve learned from last year’s snowstorm, noting that snow removal becomes ineffective when temperatures drop below 2 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Other things to know 

Many churches …