Overview:
Water main breaks are the next threats to the MLGW system.
The threat of storm-related power outages has passed for the Memphis area, according to Memphis Light, Gas & Water (MLGW), though the utility is now bracing for water main breaks.
Winter Storm Fern brought frozen precipitation and bitter cold temperatures. However, only six MLGW customers were without power as of Monday afternoon. The outage represents 0.01 percent of MLGW service coverage, meaning there were 428,453 customers that still had the lights on. The performance was “no accident,” MLGW said.
“Your actions, combined with months of planning and significant investments in tree trimming and electric system improvements, truly made a difference and helped us get through this storm safely and reliably,” MLGW said in a statement. “Just as important, our crews were ready to respond quickly to restore the small number of customers that did experience an outage.”
However, MLGW said water main breaks are the next threats to its system. They can occur when temperatures change and cause broken/frozen pipes in homes and businesses. The utility said its crews are monitoring the situation and are read to respond if necessary.
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) said its facilities are performing well and are prepared to meet the rising demand from the extreme cold temperatures.
However, nearly 233,000 customers across Tennessee remain without power Monday afternoon, according to PowerOutage.com. TVA said 17 local power company delivery points are out of service across its total service range (not just Tennessee), affecting 12 of its 153 local power companies.
A band of affected counties stretches from southern West Tennessee to upper Middle Tennessee. Nashville is the most affected, with nearly 149,000 customers in the dark.
However, crews are working to fix issues. TVA said it is ”making progress despite difficult conditions for workers, including fallen trees, deep snow, icy roads, and frigid temperatures.”
“TVA has deployed all available resources: bucket trucks, dozers, track equipment, skid steers, UTVs, and chainsaw crews on the ground,” the agency said in a statement. “And if we can’t reach lines by land, we’re reaching them by air, using helicopters and drones to support restoration efforts. To those waiting for electricity to return, help is on the way.”