With severe weather marching into West Tennessee, Henry County officials are opening three school-based storm shelters at 5 p.m. Sunday, giving residents a safer place to ride out the worst of the forecast. The shelters, located at Harrelson, Henry, and Lakewood schools, will stay open until the immediate threat has passed, according to county officials.
Sheriff Josh Frey announced on the department’s Facebook page that the shelter sites would open at 5 p.m. and “remain open until the threat of severe weather has passed,” according to the Henry County Sheriff's Office. For non-emergency questions, the office lists its main number as (731) 642‑1672 on the county Sheriff’s Department page.
Where To Go
The county has activated three campuses as public storm shelters: Dorothy and Noble Harrelson School in Puryear, Henry Elementary in the town of Henry, and Lakewood Elementary near Paris. NewsChannel 5 includes those schools and their locations on the region’s shelter map.
If local warnings are issued, residents are advised to go to the nearest of those campuses as soon as it is safe to travel or call the sheriff’s non-emergency number for guidance.
What To Bring And What To Expect
The school shelters are part of Henry County’s long-term safety planning and have been opened during past severe weather events. Earlier projects added FEMA-rated safe rooms and hardened hallways at some county schools, according to WBBJ.
Officials recommend that anyone heading to a shelter bring prescription medicines, phone chargers, identification, and a small supply of water and snacks. Once on site, residents should follow instructions from deputies or school staff.
Stay Informed
The sheriff’s office is urging residents to keep an eye on its Facebook page for real-time updates on shelter status and to stay tuned to local weather alerts. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For other questions, use the sheriff’s non-emergency line listed on the Henry County Sheriff's Department page.
