Customers should prepare as well

Memphis Light, Gas and Water is taking proactive steps to ensure the safety and reliability of services for customers across the region as we watch a winter storm forming. Memphis will be impacted by precipitation, but it is unclear whether snow or freezing rain will arrive. The latter is more disruptive. Bitterly cold temperatures with a wind chill below zero will put customers' water pipes at risk. There is a smaller risk to MLGW's distribution pipes and wells. Freezing rain over 1/4 inch is a hazard to trees and power lines, as it can add up to 500 lbs. and lead to severe damage. Snow slows response time.

We are prepared.

· Crews are weatherizing wells.

· We are stocked with sand, salt and snow equipment to keep work centers open.

· Our 75 Tree Trimming crews will pivot their attention to surveying and inspection to pre-emptively identify risks on Thursday and Friday.

· We have 35 overhead electric line crews arriving on Friday afternoon, essentially doubling our workforce. We can request more electric crews if we need them.

· We have a team of engineers, inspectors, and drone operators to guide restoration.

Customers should prepare.

MLGW asks that customers prepare their homes and businesses for the extreme cold by protecting water pipes and checking on automated sprinkler systems. Water pipes can burst anytime temperatures are below freezing. A burst water pipe or water heater is considered to be an emergency situation and could pose a danger of flooding. Customers are asked to have an emergency plan and take precautions to prevent pipes from bursting at their homes and businesses. Here are a few tips:

· Allow faucets to drip, open cabinet doors, detach hoses and insulate outdoor pipes while temperatures remain low.

· Vacant property owners should turn off the water at the street. Call MLGW at 544-6549 if assistance is needed.

· Businesses that anticipate being closed for an extended time should check periodically for broken pipes and/or leaking fire suppression systems.

· Know where the main water shut off valve is inside the home in advance of an emergency. It could be in a closet or under the sink.

· If pipes burst, cut off water at the street using a meter key. (These can be purchased at a hardware store.)

· Have food, water (fill pitchers of water to equal approximately 1 gallon, per day, per person), and medicines sufficient for a three day interruption in case of emergency.

MLGW does consider burst pipes an emergency. Customers can call 528-4465 to have water turned off. However, depending on demand, it could take some time for crews to respond.

MLGW's general winter tips can be found here: mlgw.com/wintertips.

MLGW has an Outage Center on mlgw.com which includes information on reporting and tracking outages as well as a preparedness guide: mlgw.com/StormPrep

Follow MLGW on social media for outage updates: Twitter @mlgw, Instagram @mlgwofficial

Memphis Light, Gas and Water is the largest three-service public power utility in the nation, serving the residents of Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee since 1939. MLGW consistently provides customers with rates that are amongst the lowest in the nation and stewards a water supply from artesian wells that is minimally treated. Actively engaged in promoting the prosperity of Memphis and Shelby County, MLGW supports the seven local chambers in its service area and makes doing business with local, minority- and women-owned business a priority. Deeply rooted in the community, its employees generously donate time and money in support of bettering the Greater Memphis area.