EMS communications offline due to AT&T outages in TN and KY, flights halted

The company claims that the outage is direcly related to the explosion which occurred on Friday Christmas morning at roughly 6:30am, right after audio warnings were played over loudspeakers, telling people to evacuate the area.

According to local outlet Nashville News Channel 5, several law enforcement agencies in the affected regions have been releasing alternate numbers to reach them due to the outage.

Citizens are being asked to check with their local police departments if they are located in one of the affected areas.

Footage has been released of a Class C RV that was parked right outside of the AT&T facility on North Second Avenue in downtown Nashville. The explosion, according to authorities, appears to have emanated from said vehicle.

Nashville police provided an update on the RV Friday afternoon, saying "Officers responded to reports of shots fired in downtown Nashville, encountered RV with recording warning of possible detonation, began evacuations of nearby buildings. The RV exploded shortly afterward" according to local news.

AT&T released a statement Friday on the outages. "Service for some customers in Nashville and the surrounding areas may be affected by damage to our facilities from the explosion this morning. We are in contact with law enforcement and working as quickly and safely as possible to restore service."

Flights have also been suspended out of the Nashville International Airport due to the day's events, and flights coming in have been put under a management program. The FAA tweeted the following, which has been confirmed on their website:

"Due to ZME FREQUENCY OUTAGE, there is a Traffic Management Program in effect for traffic arriving Nashville International Airport, Nashville, TN (BNA). To see if you may be affected, select your departure airport and check 'Delays by Destination'."