Nashville celebrities hunker down during TN winter storm

• A winter ice storm in Tennessee has left over 200,000 residents without power and caused at least three deaths.
• Nashville celebrities, including Kaitlyn Bristowe and Charles Esten, have shared their experiences with power outages on social media.
• Many public figures have lost power and heat, relying on fireplaces, generators, or staying with friends.
• Residents are dealing with downed trees, impassable roads, and freezing temperatures across the city.

As of Jan. 26, the winter ice storm has left more than 200,000 Tennesseans without power and caused at least three deaths.

With schools and businesses around the city closed, some roads impassable and freezing temperatures, much of the city is hunkering down and waiting out the ice, including Nashville’s celebrity residents.

Public figures including Kaitlyn Bristowe, Shawn Johnson and Charles Esten have posted their storm updates on social media, sharing their varied experiences, from fallen trees to losing power.

More: More than 200K still without power, flash freeze worsens roads. The latest

Kaitlyn Bristowe: ‘The world is a scary place’

TV personality and “The Bachelorette” alum Kaitlyn Bristowe posted a video on her Instagram story from her Nashville home. Her power had gone out and she couldn’t open up her garage door, she said.

“I think I have a neighbor coming to help me and I think I’m going to have to go to a hotel,” she said.

“I’m having such pity party for one. I’m just cold and scared and I feel alone. And I’m going to be okay but I’m also thinking about how lucky I am for being able to get into a hotel. The world is a scary place.”

Bristowe posted an update later on.

“We are safe, at a friend’s, with a generator … my drive here was terrifying. Power lines and trees down everywhere.”

Charles Esten: ‘No power. No heat.’

Singer-songwriter and “Nashville” actor Charles Esten celebrated his 40th wedding anniversary with Patty Hanson mid-storm.

“No power. No heat,” he posted on Instagram.

“Just a good fireplace, a whole bunch of candles, and countless blessings and sweet memories from 40 amazing years together. #happymeetiversary #chipandpatty.”

Shawn Johnson: ‘To all of the line workers and first responders, thank you’

Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson posted a photo on her Instagram story of a downed branch on a power line.

“Waking up yesterday morning to no power and the sound of giant trees snapping around our home was so nervewracking,” she wrote. “We’ve had no less than 60+ trees fall on our home and around it. Not sure where to even start when this ends.”

Johnson said her husband, Andrew East, spent the day with his friends helping to clear driveways and streets for their neighbors to get to hotels or friend’s houses with power.

“Also, to all of the line workers and first responders … Thank you,” she said. “I can’t imagine what they are going through right now and how hard they are working.”

Briley King: ‘Never experienced anything like this storm’

Briley King, singer-songwriter and wife of country artist Marcus King, posted a photo on her Instagram story of her dark living room lit by one lamp.

“Never experienced anything like this storm,” she said. “Praying everyone is warm and safe.”

Willow Avalon: ‘Please don’t drive if you don’t have to’

Country singer Willow Avalon posted a photo on her Instagram story of a truck that had run off the road.

“This truck just slammed into the fire hydrant and the telephone pole in my front yard,” she wrote.

“Please don’t drive if you don’t have to! Max spent a hour pulling him out and his truck is wrecked now. Soooo be safe yall.”

Avalon posted a photo of a candle-lit living room with a fireplace. Over the fire, Avalon cooked eggs in a mini skillet. “My Dolly Parton skillet coming in handy!” she said. “Best birthday present!”

Contributing: Molly Davis

Audrey Gibbs is a music journalist at The Tennessean. You can reach her at [email protected].