Bow Echo Storm Restoration Update

Nearly 115,000 customers restored - customers without power asked to check weatherhead

MLGW has a full staft of troubleshooters, line crews and tree trimming crews working around the clock to restore power to customers affected by a bow echo storm system that hit Memphis and Shelby County in the evening hours of Saturday, August 22.

Straight-line winds of more than 70 mph wreaked havoc on the electric system, impacting more than 140,000 customers. MLGW and contracted crews restored power to nearly 115,000 customers to date. NOTE: MLGW is not disconnecting for non-payment today while restoration work continues.

Work will continue until all customers are restored. Smaller, more comples outages will take more time to repair. The vast majority of customers are expected to be restored by Thursday, August 27.

Customers with Damaged Service Lines, Weatherheads and Meter Centers: MLGW advises customers who have damage to their electric service equipment such as weatherheads, conduits and meter centers to contact a qualified electrician to make repairs before MLGW can reconnect the customer's electricity (See Weatherhead Video). In addition, the customer should contact MLGW to lower the service line (at no charge to the customer) so the customer's contractor can safely perform the necessary work.

Support for Customers Impacted:
MLGW's EPIC (Emergency Response Information Center) vehicle will be at the Stax Museum, 926 E. McLemore today until 5 p.m. Mobile charging stations and other resources will be available.

The Memphis Public Library's 2-1-1 (memphislibrary.org/linc-2-1-1/) provides a directory of community agencies that can help in a time of crisis.

MLGW is working with the City of Memphis and Emergency Agencies to coordinate support for customers who need it. There is a press conference today at the Stax Museum, 926 E. McLemore, at 4 p.m. which will be shared on Facebook Live.

Storm facts:

Replacing poles is a major construction job. Each utility pole takes an average of 8 hours to repair. 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:
1. Hospitals, critical flood control pumps and other facilities with large community impact
2. Public safety hazards (power lines down, poles down)
3. Areas with large numbers of customers out of power
4. 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 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.

Social Media/Web Updates

You can see photos of crews in action, along with photographs of damage, on MLGW's Facebook, Instagram and X accounts. Customers are asked to call MGW at 544-6500 to report outages or report them online.
Safety Tips

Find safety tips and more on our Outage Center page: mlgw.com/outagecenter. MLGW urges people to check on family, friends and neighbors who may experience outages.