MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WGNS) - The local community is rallying to support nearly 200 people today after a structural emergency at a Murfreesboro extended-stay hotel left families out in the cold during the ongoing regional winter storm.

Late Tuesday afternoon, at approximately 5:50 p.m., the InTown Suites Extended Stay on Old Fort Parkway was declared unsafe for occupancy following a major sprinkler system failure. According to the Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department, a pipe burst in the attic, causing a ceiling to collapse in one of the units and sending water cascading through all three floors.

The flooding severely damaged the building’s electrical and fire safety systems, forcing an immediate evacuation of 150 to 175 guests.

Community Response and Shelter Activation

With temperatures plunging, local agencies moved with record speed to prevent a larger crisis. The American Red Cross and the Rutherford County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), led by Chris Clark, coordinated an emergency relocation within the hour.

The Salvation Army stepped in to provide its gymnasium at 1137 West Main Street as the primary emergency shelter.

"Our community’s collaborative spirit was on full display," said John Mitchell, Executive Director of the Heart of Tennessee American Red Cross. "The Salvation Army generously opened their gym and resources, allowing many displaced families to walk just a short distance to safety, warmth, food, and comfort."

Mitchell praised the speed of the operation, noting that volunteers stood up a fully functioning shelter in under 60 minutes.

A Statewide Race Against the Cold

The Murfreesboro displacement is part of a broader, high-stakes effort across Tennessee to protect residents from record-breaking winter conditions. The January 2026 storm system has strained infrastructure from the Cumberland Plateau to the Mississippi River, claiming eight lives and leaving hundreds of thousands in search of heat.

• The Restoration Effort: Utility crews have made significant progress, dropping peak outages from 316,000 down to 137,000. However, the vast majority of those still in the dark are in Davidson County.

• Infrastructure Strain: In rural areas, the damage is so extensive that restoration could take another 10 to 14 days.

• Water Supply Concerns: Beyond power, water facility issues are now emerging in Hickman, Hardeman, and McNairy counties, with TEMA currently evaluating the need for large-scale bottled water distribution.