12,730 currently without power - Full restoration expected Tuesday

Heavy rain and 59 mph winds moved into the Memphis and Shelby County area shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday evening knocking down utility poles and toppling trees, resulting in outages. Severe weather continued throughout the night. There are trees, wires and poles down throughout Memphis and Shelby County this morning.

Troubleshooters are currently assessing damage. Ultimately, 40,575 customers across Memphis and Shelby County experienced an outage. Currently 12,730 customers are without power. Outside crews have been requested to assist with repairs. There are several individual outages which will take longer to repair. Officials expect full restoration to be completed Tuesday for customers impacted by Saturday’s storms.

There are trees, wires and poles down throughout Memphis and Shelby County. Troubleshooters are currently assessing damage. Crews are working around the clock, however, safety for employees will be a priority. MLGW crews will work quickly and safely to restore power.  

Important MLGW contact information for customers:

•  Outage Reporting: 544-6500

•  Emergency: 528-4465 (This number should be treated like 911. Gas leaks, electrical lines down.)

•  Customer Care Center: 544-6549

•  Online Outage Center: mlgw.com/home/outagecenter  

Generator Safety Tips

Some customers may be using generators which are a great way to back up your power, but using one can be dangerous unless you follow these important safety tips:

• Never use a generator indoors or in an enclosed area such as a garage. Generators emit toxic carbon monoxide from the engine exhaust.
   
• A generator should only be operated in a well-ventilated and dry area, away from air intakes to the home. It should be protected from direct exposure to rain and snow, preferably under a canopy, open shed or carport. 
   
• Do not attempt to restore power to your entire house by plugging the generator into a wall outlet. The electricity produced by a generator cannot only ruin your home's wiring and start a fire, it can also feed back into the utility system and energize a line thought to be without power possibly killing utility workers trying to restore power. It can also cause damage to the generator when electric service is restored. 
   
• Handle fuel carefully. Turn the generator off prior to refueling. Gasoline, kerosene and other flammable liquids should be stored outside of living areas in properly labeled safety containers. 
   
• Turn off or disconnect all appliances prior to operating a portable generator. Once the generator is running, appliances powered by the generator can be turned on one at a time.