(April 4, 2011) - MLGW crews have begun the restoration process after storms this morning and afternoon knocked out power to more than 63,500 customers.

MLGW has received numerous reports of downed trees and power lines across Shelby County as a result of the high winds that accompanied the storm. Approximately 90 MLGW troubleshooters, tree trimmers, and electric crews are currently in the field and have begun the process of restoring power to MLGW customers. MLGW is also in the process of contacting outside crews in order to bolster MLGW's workforce. MLGW's Customer Care Center will be open throughout the evening to handle customer calls as well.

MLGW is reinforcing the need for safety around downed power lines and other potential hazards as Memphis and Shelby County residents begin debris removal from businesses and homes.

MLGW urges customers to be aware of their surroundings as they sift through debris. Customers should avoid contact with downed power lines - even if their home or area has experienced a loss of power the lines could still be energized. Also, if they are not careful, it is possible for the body to become a conduit for an electrical current, which could result in serious injury or death.

Customers are also asked to avoid the immediate area where MLGW crews are working. These work sites can be extremely hazardous.

As MLGW crews work to restore power, here are some tips for using portable generators:

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.

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, but 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.

Important MLGW numbers for customers:

Outage Reporting 544-6500

Emergency 528-4465

Customer Care Center 544-MLGW (6549)

www.mlgw.com

www.twitter.com/mlgw

MLGW is the largest three-service public power utility in the nation, serving more than 423,000 customers in Memphis and Shelby County.