MLGW Crews to Aid in Chattanooga Storm Restoration
April 15, 2020
A convoy of eight MLGW trucks with nine employees will leave the North Service Center, 1060 Tupelo, on April 16 at 6 a.m. for the five-hour drive to Chattanooga, TN, to help with storm restoration.
The crews will be in Chattanooga for an unspecified amount of time. In recent years mutual aid agreements have assisted MLGW in restoring power after windstorms and tornados. The utility asking for the assistance is responsible for all costs associated with recovery efforts, including salaries and lodging out of town assistance.
“At its peak, approximately 12,000 customers were without power Monday after the storm due to high winds. With our restoration efforts complete from the Sunday, April 12 storm, we are grateful to be in a position to help Chattanooga,” J.T. Young, President and CEO of MLGW said. “Our crews will work quickly and safely in Chattanooga, just as if they were in Memphis.”
Safety partitions were recently designed and installed into MLGW crew trucks by the crews themselves to implement social distancing as they continue their essential work.
The single-piece partitions are made out of galvanized steel with a Lexan window and foam seal to secure the partition between the front and back seat areas. The partition gives definitive space in the work trucks, preventing crew members from sharing the same air and effectively implementing social distancing. This will ensure crews are driving safe as they go to help our neighbors in need.
COVID-19 Updates and Information
Are MLGW offices open?
Will my services be disconnected if I can’t pay my bill?
How can I receive updates?
The crews will be in Chattanooga for an unspecified amount of time. In recent years mutual aid agreements have assisted MLGW in restoring power after windstorms and tornados. The utility asking for the assistance is responsible for all costs associated with recovery efforts, including salaries and lodging out of town assistance.
“At its peak, approximately 12,000 customers were without power Monday after the storm due to high winds. With our restoration efforts complete from the Sunday, April 12 storm, we are grateful to be in a position to help Chattanooga,” J.T. Young, President and CEO of MLGW said. “Our crews will work quickly and safely in Chattanooga, just as if they were in Memphis.”
Safety partitions were recently designed and installed into MLGW crew trucks by the crews themselves to implement social distancing as they continue their essential work.
The single-piece partitions are made out of galvanized steel with a Lexan window and foam seal to secure the partition between the front and back seat areas. The partition gives definitive space in the work trucks, preventing crew members from sharing the same air and effectively implementing social distancing. This will ensure crews are driving safe as they go to help our neighbors in need.
COVID-19 Updates and Information
Are MLGW offices open?
- We have restricted access to Community Offices for the safety of customers and employees.
- Drive-thru windows will remain open for payments by cash, check, and money orders only.
- Customers using drive-thru services are encouraged to bring their bill with them to make processing payments faster.
- All five of our Community Offices now have drop boxes available. No cash payments may be put in the drop boxes -- only checks and money orders.
Will my services be disconnected if I can’t pay my bill?
- Under MLGW’s Pandemic Plan all disconnects and late fees (as of April 3, 2020) are suspended until further notice. However, please note that bills will accrue. Customers are encouraged to make payments if able.
How can I receive updates?