An enhanced risk of severe weather could slow today’s restoration efforts.

Memphis Light, Gas and Water crews are working as quickly as they safely can to restore electric service to all customers impacted by weather-related outages. MLGW’s system held up well and nearly 98% of customers have power at this writing. An enhanced risk of severe weather could slow today’s restoration efforts for the approximate 5000 customers currently without power. 

Yesterday’s storms were strong enough to impact TVA transmission lines as well. Overall, 21,020 of our customers lost power for more than 5 minutes at some time between yesterday and this morning, with a maximum of 8,514 out at one time (2:45 a.m.). MLGW crews were active throughout the event, restoring power to 15,877 customers and will work on the remainder today.

The National Weather Service has issued an enhanced risk of severe weather for all of Shelby County. Hazards include flooding, wind gusts up to 60 mph and tornadoes.

MLGW asks customers to stay alert for downed powerlines and fallen trees. Several rounds of thunderstorms will result in heavy rain and flooding. Saturated ground makes it easier for a wind gust to blow over a tree. Falling trees can tear down powerlines creating a hazard and outages.

Storm facts:

Replacing poles is major construction job. Each power pole takes a crew an average of 8 hours to repair, and for the safety of our employees and the public, this work can include closing roads and directing traffic, requiring coordination time with law enforcement and others.

MLGW has over 200 crews ready to complete damage assessments and make repairs and restore power to all customers safely and as quickly as possible. Emergency tree trimming crews are available to clear debris. Working in challenging conditions on complex tasks, crews will continue efforts around-the-clock to restore power to customers, some of whom may experience extended outages.

MLGW prioritizes where crews will be sent to restore power:

1. Hospitals, critical flood control pumps and other facilities with large community impact

2. Public safety hazards (power lines down, poles down)

3. Areas with large numbers of customers out of power

4. Scattered, smaller outages

Safety is a top priority and MLGW provides tips for customers to stay safe.

If the power goes out...

• Check to see if the lights are out in neighboring homes — if so, it’s likely a larger outage. Access the MLGW outage map via mlgw.com or the MLGW app.

• Report the outage on the MLGW app or by calling 544-6500.

• Visit https://www.mlgw.com/outagecenter for more tools.

If stormy weather knocks down a power line…

• Stay away and call MLGW at 528-4465.

• Assume the line is “energized” and stay away and warn others to do the same.

• Do not remove fallen tree limbs or other debris from power lines. Tree limbs and other objects can conduct electricity that can shock anyone coming in contact with them.

MLGW urges customers to check on family, friends and neighbors who may experience outages.

Memphis Light, Gas and Water is the largest three-service public power utility in the nation, serving the residents of Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee since 1939. MLGW consistently provides customers with rates that are amongst the lowest in the nation and stewards a water supply from artesian wells that is minimally treated. Actively engaged in promoting the prosperity of Memphis and Shelby County, MLGW supports the seven local chambers in its service area and makes doing business with local, minority- and women-owned business a priority. Deeply rooted in the community, its employees generously donate time and money in support of bettering the Greater Memphis area.