Every Shot Matters

Power and broadband restoration update

MLEC works on final outages to finish storm repairs

(9 p.m. April 17, 2026 – Centerville, TN) – Great progress today! Power outages in the five-county MLEC service area have dropped from 5,000 last night to fewer than 20 this evening. Remaining outages are primarily residences where homeowner repairs are needed before reconnection can take place.

Anyone still without power is encouraged to call 1-888-879-6038 to make sure your outage is on record.

MLConnect fiber crews continue to address outages (less than 20) related to individual service drops and a few single lines in Houston County.  If your power has returned from the storm but internet has not, try unplugging your router’s power cord from the wall for a few minutes and plugging it back in. If service does not return, report the outage by calling your MLEC office or submitting a ticket online.

Important reminder from MLConnect. Please leave all other cables and wires on MLConnect equipment firmly connected. Disconnecting anything other than power from the wall can delay service restoration for everyone.

“Your patience and support as we finish up storm repairs is appreciated,” says MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan. “Meriwether Lewis and its members weather storms together and show the power of community.”

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Power and Broadband Restoration Underway

Meriwether Lewis continues storm repairs in Houston County

(4 p.m. April 17, 2026 – Centerville, TN) – Less than 100 Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative members remain without power in Houston County following yesterday’s fast-moving thunderstorms.

With the goal of restoring power to everyone by Saturday afternoon, we have a large presence of lineworkers and support staff on the ground. While not a complete list, some locations still without power include:

  • Hurricane Creek area in Stewart
  • Main Street and others, Tennessee Ridge
  • City of Erin, along Arlington Street and Fire Tower Road
  • Barber Highway in Cumberland City
  • Rye Loop Road in Erin

MLConnect crews are also making progress toward restoring broadband service to the 100 remaining affected subscribers.

Hickman, Humphreys, Lewis and Perry counties have returned to normal operations.

To report a power outage, please continue to call your local district office or the after-hours number 1-888-879-6038. To report a broadband outage, call your local MLEC office or create a direct-line ticket online at https://mlec.com/mlconnect/contact-us/.

We appreciate your patience and will continue to provide updates as restoration progresses.

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Approximately 860 Members Remain Without Power

Storm restoration continues following Thursday storm

(April 17, 2026 – Centerville, TN) – Meriwether Lewis crews have restored power to most members following Thursday evening’s storm with approximately 860 still without service this morning.

Houston County remains the most impacted with about 760 members without power. Outages are scattered across the county. MLEC crews are assisted by 20 additional personnel, including lineworkers, right-of-way crews and support staff. Some of the hardest hit areas include:

  • Hurricane Creek area in Stewart
  • Main Street areas in Tennessee Ridge and surrounding communities
  • Downtown Erin and nearby locations
  • Barber Highway near Cumberland City
  • Salmon Branch and other areas on the opposite side of the county

Due to the extent and spread of damage, some Houston County members may remain without power until Saturday. Crews must first clear debris to access lines, travel between sites and establish safe work zones before repairs can begin.

In Humphreys County, less than 100 members are without power in areas including West Little Richland to Big Richland and along White Oak Ridge Road. With the help of additional line crews in the area, our goal is to restore service to everyone by late tonight.

In Hickman County, all members who can safely be reconnected had power restored by approximately 5:30 a.m. Operations are normal in Lewis and Perry Counties.

We are also working on broadband outages affecting less than 20 member-subscribers in the Terrapin Hollow and Whitson Bend areas of Hickman County. Broadband outages will be addressed in Houston and Humphreys counties once we can safely evaluate damage after power is restored.

MLEC appreciates the patience and support of its members as crews continue working to safely restore service. Stay away from downed or sagging lines and report them to MLEC.

The next update will be provided at 4 p.m. today.               

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Hickman Co. Teacher Earns TVA STEM Grant

High School expanding biology studies with new lab equipment

(March 23, 2026 – Centerville, TN) – Hickman County High School teacher Logan Campbell was recognized on March 6 for receiving a $5,000 STEM grant from TVA to purchase lab equipment to study biology and aquaponics.

Pictured from left to right: TVA North Region Customer Relations Manager Christopher Smith, MLEC District Manager Matt Chessor, Campbell and TVA Government and Community Relations Manager LaKevia Perry.

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Local Students Represent MLEC at Statewide Leadership Summit

Local Students Represent MLEC at Statewide Leadership SummitLewis and Perry County juniors gain hands-on experience in Nashville

(March 23, 2026 – Centerville, TN) – Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative’s commitment to local students continues by sponsoring two high school juniors to attend the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association’s annual Youth Leadership Summit.

Perry County High School junior Landon Warren and Lewis County High School junior Andie Starcher joined other high school juniors from across the state in Nashville for the three-day conference March 16-18. They received a hands-on look at state government, learned networking and leadership skills, and developed a better understanding of their local electric cooperatives. MLEC Communications Coordinator Benjamin Armstrong served as chaperone.

“These students will soon be our community leaders and electric cooperative member-owners,” said MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan. “We want them to share our passion for their hometowns, so it is an honor for MLEC to help prepare them for the opportunities that are ahead. The future of our rural communities depends on a generation of strong leaders like these.”

While in Nashville, delegates visited the State Capitol Building and met State Representatives Kirk Haston and Jody Barrett. They also were greeted by Governor Bill Lee and participated in a mock legislative session in the Senate chambers.

In addition to meeting lawmakers and experiencing the state Capital, students also developed their leadership and team-building skills at the Joe C. Davis YMCA Outdoor Center at Camp Widjiwagen and completed a leadership training course with leadership expert Amy Gallimore. Delegates also attended the Grand Ole Opry, visited the GooGoo store and toured the Country Music Hall of Fame.

(Pictured from left to right: MLEC Communications Coordinator Benjamin Armstrong, Lewis County High School junior Andie Starcher and Perry County High School junior Landon Warren.)

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Investing in Tomorrow’s Leaders

MLEC sponsors members to attend annual leadership conference

(February 27, 2026 ) – Meriwether Lewis members Jimmy and Holly Kruegar, along with their son Jacob, proudly represented MLEC at the Tennessee Council of Cooperatives’ Young Leaders Conference, held February 20–21 at the Drury Hotel in Franklin.

Pictured from left to right: Jacob, Holly and Jimmy Kruegar, MLEC District Manager Matt Chessor.

The conference is a collaborative effort between the Tennessee Council of Cooperatives, the Tennessee Farm Bureau and the Tennessee Young Farmers & Ranchers organization. Together, these groups invest in the next generation by providing education, inspiration and connection opportunities for emerging leaders across the state.

Through keynote presentations, interactive sessions and networking opportunities, attendees gain a deeper understanding of the cooperative business model, and the important role electric cooperatives play in serving rural communities.

The Kruegars returned home equipped with new ideas, insights and meaningful connections to grow their community and help meet the challenges of the future.

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Every Shot Matters

MLEC hosts basketball halftime event to support local senior classes

(February 27, 2026) — Meriwether Lewis showed its support for local high school senior classes by hosting a basketball halftime relay called “Every Shot Matters.” The competition came to Perry County High School on Friday night, where Perry County Senior Rhyder Sellers made a layup, a free throw and a 3-pointer before the buzzer. By winning the timed event, he earned a $500 donation to the class of 2026.

 Pictured from left to right: Perry County High School Senior Rhyder Sellers and MLEC Member Services Representative Amy White.

MLEC also donated mini basketballs and koozies to the Perry County High School concessions stand as a part of the event.

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Powering Savings Across Highland Rim

TVA, MLEC partner with local human resource agency for energy efficiency

(February 19, 2026 – Erin, TN) — In partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority, Meriwether Lewis donated 100 community kits to the Highland Rim Economic Corporation, which serves Humphreys and Houston Counties. These energy efficiency starter kits are filled with items such as LED light bulbs and door sweeps to help homeowners save energy and better manage their power bill. Kits are available to any person who utilizes the LIHEAP program through the human resource agency or schedules a home energy audit with MLEC Energy Specialist Nathan Wagner.

Pictured from left to right: MLEC Houston County District Jeff Rye and Highland Rim Economic Corporation Program Director Stacey Baggett.

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Powering Savings Across South Central Tennessee

TVA, MLEC partner with local human resource agency for energy efficiency

(February 19, 2026 – Linden, TN) — In partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority, Meriwether Lewis donated 150 community kits to the South Central Human Resource Agency which serves Hickman, Lewis and Perry Counties. These energy efficiency starter kits are filled with items such as LED light bulbs and door sweeps to help homeowners save energy and better manage their power bill. Kits are available to any person who utilizes the LIHEAP program through the human resource agency or schedules a home energy audit with MLEC Energy Specialist Nathan Wagner.

Pictured from left to right: SCHRA Neighborhood Services’ Katrina Copeland and MLEC Perry County District Manager Matt Lineberry.

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Every Shot Matters

MLEC hosts basketball halftime event to support local senior classes

(February 13, 2026 – Erin, TN) — Meriwether Lewis showed its support for local high school senior classes by hosting a basketball halftime relay called “Every Shot Matters.” The competition came to Houston County High School Tuesday night where Houston County Senior Preston Mitchell faced off against McEwen High School Senior Ben McPherson to see who could make a layup, free throw and 3-pointer first. Mitchell finished the relay first earning a $500 donation to the class of 2026. McEwen received $250 for participating in the event.

Pictured from left to right: Houston County High School students Preston Mitchell and Jaxson Welsh, MLEC Communications Coordinator Benjamin Armstrong and McEwen High School students Ben McPherson and Braisyn March.

MLEC also donated mini basketballs to each school and koozies to the Houston County High School concessions stand as a part of the event.

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