7,000 Members Remain Without Power

Crews enter day five as restoration continues

(9:00 a.m. January 29, 2026 – Centerville, TN) – Today begins day five of restoration efforts following Winter Storm Fern, and Meriwether Lewis reports 7,000 total outages across the service area. This includes 2,200 outages in Hickman County, 1,900 in Lewis County, and 2,900 in Perry County.

As crews continue working, one fact remains clear: trees are down everywhere. Fallen and broken trees are widespread across the entire service area, damaging lines, blocking access, and slowing restoration. This is not isolated to a single community or roadway. It is systemwide. Here is a partial list that crews will be working today:

Hickman County: Leatherwood, Sheboss, Williamsport, Swan, south side of Totty’s Bend, Brushy, Wades Branch area, Lowes Branch, Coble, Wolf Creek area, Goodrich Road, Sugar Creek area, Dodd Hollow, north side of Hidden Valley, Pinewood, Barren Fork, Locust Creek, McFarlin Road, Only, Mills Creek, Indian Hill, Sequoia, Cherokee, Riverview, Grinders Switch, and Moss Springs Hollow.

Lewis County: Smith Street, Hinson Street, Beverly Street, Swiss Colony, Grinder Creek, Little Swan Creek, Newburg, Piney Creek, portions of Indian Creek, Tutor Lane, Lakeview Drive, Hollow Street, Napier Lake Road, NACO area, Trace Creek, Garrison Road, Apache Drive, Paul Spears Road, Yoder Lane, Rackley Road, Potts Road, Claud Carroll Road, Salem Road, and Cascade Springs.

Perry County: A large concentration of workers will be on Highway 128, White Oak, and Cypress Creek today due to the extensive damage and number of areas it serves including Flatwoods and Peters Landing, and among others. Other crews will be working on lines serving Roans Creek, Crooked Creek, Coon Creek, Cedar Creek, and Brush Creek toward Pleasantville.

Due to the nature of the ice damage, providing an estimate of arrival is hard to predict, but crews are on the way. To meet the magnitude of this storm, MLEC is supported by 200 additional lineworkers and right-of-way personnel, working alongside local crews. Repairs continue to prioritize main lines first so the greatest number of members can be restored as safely and efficiently as possible.

Progress is being made, but even with increased manpower, many areas require extensive clearing before repairs can begin. MLEC understands the frustration of extended outages and assures members all locations are being addressed. Crews will continue working long hours as conditions allow to safely restore power and broadband to every member.

Members are reminded to:

• Use generators safely by turning OFF the main breaker and operating units outdoors, away from doors and windows.
• If your weatherhead is damaged, you need to turn off your main breaker.
• Avoid downed power lines and report them immediately.
• Check on neighbors who may still be without power.

“This restoration effort would not be possible without the overwhelming support of our communities,” said MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan. “Local emergency management agencies, volunteers, and churches have stepped up in incredible ways to help keep our members safe and warm to the best of their ability. This is truly a community-wide effort, and we are deeply grateful for everyone working together during these challenging conditions.”

Another update will be shared at 4:00 p.m. today.

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