Multi-day restoration in progress – 40,000 customers restored
Without much warning, a bow echo storm system impacted Memphis and Shelby County in the evening hours of Saturday, August 22, bringing straight-line winds of more than 70 mph. These winds wreaked havoc on the electric system, impacting more than 140,000 MLGW customers.
Overnight, MLGW crews were able to restore power to 40,000 customers. Work continues this morning with the addition of 250 contracted electric line crew personnel, some of whom started work this morning and others who are arriving throughout the day. There are also 200+ tree trimming personnel for a total of 600+ workers engaged in this restoration with more on the way.
We continue to assess damage. We know already that this will be a multi-day recovery because of the extent of the damage we have already seen. Customers currently without power should plan to be without power for multiple days.
Water treatment plants were also impacted by this outage, and they are working to recover their capacity. To help in that recovery, we request that everyone choose to conserve water today by not washing cars or watering lawns.
Our immediate priorities are restoring power to hospitals, water treatment and sewer facilities. Following that we will prioritize circuit restorations that will have the largest number of customers impacted.
There are 50+ schools impacted at present and we will provide an update to leadership in time to make decisions about the Monday school schedule.
MLGW is working with the City of Memphis and Emergency Agencies to coordinate support for customers who need it. There is a joint press conference today which will be shared on Facebook Live.
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 crews ready to complete damage assessments and make repairs and restore power to all customers safely and as quickly as possible. Emergency 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:
Hospitals, critical flood control pumps and other facilities with large community impact
Public safety hazards (power lines down, poles down)
Areas with large numbers of customers out of power
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, TN 38103