Gusty winds above 30 mph combined with heavy rains expected

MLGW is watching the progress and forecast of tropical storm Francine and is in close contact with the National Weather Service (NWS) and local emergency agencies.

We anticipate the first impacts from the storm to be heavy rain arriving Thursday morning with gusty winds starting around midday and rain and wind lasting well into Friday. MLGW crews and contracted repair crews and tree crews have been placed on standby to help us respond should there be damage from the storm.

Despite significant progress in our tree trimming and outdated infrastructure replacement, gusty winds above 30 mph combined with heavy rains can saturate the ground and set us up for outages caused by falling trees.

While we will do all we can to prepare and respond to any impacts, we ask our customers to take the time now to be prepared later:

• Secure items outside that can blow around.

• Store enough nonperishable foods and water to last up to three days.

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 more than 50 crews ready to complete damage assessments and make repairs and restore power to all customers safely and as quickly as possible. Over 130 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 people 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.