MLEC Employees Are Off and Running

Tuesday’s Progress Lays Groundwork for Day 4 of Recovery Effort

(9:00 a.m. January 28, 2026 – Centerville, TN) – Power was restored to 2800 Meriwether Lewis members on Tuesday with the help of 175 additional crews supporting local employees with line work and clearing roads and power lines. While some were restored, others saw new power outages due to continued falling limbs and trees. Additional mutual aid crews will be arriving today and tomorrow.

“Many of the main lines that serve homes and also serve as branches to deliver power to smaller areas are significantly damaged and have to be fixed before we can begin to address individual lines,” says MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan. “Repairing the main lines is a lengthy process under normal conditions; however, having to clear debris as we go to reach them extends it even longer. We are also grateful to local emergency responders and volunteers helping us clear roads, and Governor Lee’s Executive Order 111, which gives TDOT crews the ability to clear non-state roads, will provide great support.”

As crews started at daylight, more main lines continue to be the focus, as well as some smaller lines we can reach because of yesterday’s progress. Crews today will be working on lines leading to the following areas:

Hickman County, where 3000 remain without power: Swan, Edgewood, Grays Bend, Aetna, Brushy, Leatherwood, Williamsport, Pinewood, Hidden Valley, Columbia Avenue, Riverview, and Shipps Bend. Roads have also been cleared leading toward Nunnelly, Pretty Creek, Dodd Hollow and Sugar Creek so we will be accessing damage in that area in preparation for repairs.

Lewis County, as 2800 are still impacted by outages: Piney Creek, Waynesboro Highway, Long Branch, Highway 20, Metal Ford Road, Paul Spears Road, Barnsville, Charles McClearen Road, New Kimmins, Cane Creek, Howards Switch, Sickler Road, Buffalo Road, Riverside Community, and Shubert.

Perry County, where 4300 are without power: Pineview, Highway 128 toward Cedar Creek, White Oak, 412 West area, Flatwoods, and 412 East areas. Access to Brush Creek leading to Pleasantville is now available so we will be accessing damage there in preparation for crews.

Humphreys and Houston counties are working on individual services and other issues that might arise in their area.

Broadband crews are also working to repair damaged main line fiber and service lines where possible. Like power, full broadband restoration is expected to take weeks, as many repairs remain dependent on electric service restoration.

Meriwether Lewis estimates full restoration could take several weeks. Based on damage found as crews can access more areas after debris is moved, the timeline could shorten or lengthen. The cooperative is committed to keeping everyone informed throughout the process.

“No doubt a storm of this magnitude is devastating and creates difficulties for those we serve with heat, connectivity and conveniences. Caring for them is in the forefront of all we do, and we will continue working until everyone has power and broadband restored,” said Carnahan. “We are making progress and are proud of what our employees and all the volunteers here to help. We are grateful to our members for their patience and understanding as everyone works to help life return to normal. It will be a long process, but we will continue working until everyone has power and broadband restored.”

A brief update will be provided by 4 p.m. on January 28, 2026, and another by 9 p.m.

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