Putnam County DART - Disaster Animal Response Team

06/11/2026

There is a low severe weather threat Friday, mainly for the eastern half of Middle TN. Potential impacts will be strong to damaging winds and heavy rain.

06/06/2026

06/04/2026

05/31/2026

05/22/2026

355 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026
..A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN OVERTON...
SOUTHEASTERN DE KALB...SOUTHEASTERN JACKSON...WESTERN WHITE AND
CENTRAL PUTNAM COUNTIES THROUGH 430 PM CDT...

At 354 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles west of Sparta, moving northeast at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Cookeville, Sparta, Algood, Baxter, Doyle, Hamptons Crossroads,
Bakers Crossroads, Burgess Falls State Park, Rickman, and Cummins
Falls State Park.

This includes Interstate 40 between mile markers 279 and 297.

05/22/2026

⚠️ Bear Sighting Reported in the Area of 10th Street & Washington Avenue ⚠️

The Cookeville Police Department would like to make the public aware that a bear was spotted this morning in the area of 10th Street and Washington Avenue.

Please use caution if you are in the area and keep the following safety tips in mind:

• Do not approach or attempt to feed the bear
• Keep pets on a leash and supervise them outdoors
• Secure trash, pet food, and other outdoor food sources
• If you see the bear, give it plenty of space and move indoors if possible
• Report any aggressive behavior or emergency situations to 911

Wildlife sightings can occur as bears travel through the area, and in many cases they move on without incident if left alone.

05/21/2026

Daily rounds of showers and thunderstorms will continue into early next week with rain amounts generally ranging from 2 to 4 inches. While ponding in low-lying areas is possible, widespread flooding is not expected.