Over the weekend, two MLGW overhead electric crews, totaling 12 employees, made the nearly three hour drive to Columbus, Miss. to assist Columbus Light and Power in restoring services after the area was hit by severe storms last week.

The crews will be in Columbus for an unspecified amount of time. In the past, mutual aid agreements have assisted MLGW in restoring power after ice storms, 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.

"MLGW has a proud tradition of assisting sister utilities in need," said MLGW President and CEO Jerry Collins Jr. "When Memphis has needed a helping hand during the many severe storms this community has suffered through, several utilities have reached out in assistance. We are always grateful of that and do our best when other communities need a little help during restoration efforts."

MLGW is the largest three-service public power utility in the nation, serving more than 420,000 customers in Memphis and Shelby County.