Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety

MLEC restores power from storms, addressing new outages

(April 4, 2025 – Centerville, TN) – Meriwether Lewis crews resumed power restoration efforts Friday morning and have resolved most outages caused by weather events Wednesday and Thursday. However, new outages have been reported Friday morning.

• Perry County- A fallen tree has caused outages in these areas but is not limited to Crooked Creek, Driftwood and Roan Creek.
• Houston County- Outages are present in these areas but not limited to Kiser Ridge Road, Bethaney Road, Fire Tower Road, Hagerville Hollow Road, Dancer Branch and more. These are mainly due to broken poles or flooded roads limiting access.
• Humphreys County- We are experiencing an outage on Highway 13 South. Both Cuba Landing and Richland Harbor are also without power.

Pop-up outages could continue into the weekend due to saturated soil, weakened trees and additional rain and flooding. Regardless, our crews are prepared to work to ensure our members stay connected.

“This week has tested our communities with severe weather, but it has also showcased the dedication of our crews and the resilience of our members,” President and CEO Keith Carnahan said.” “Despite downed trees, broken poles, and flooding, our teams have worked tirelessly—often in challenging conditions—to restore power and broadband as quickly and safely as possible. We appreciate our members’ patience and support as we continue working to keep you connected.”

If you are a member experiencing a power outage, please report the situation to MLEC, so we can better serve you. To report a power outage during regular business hours, please contact your local office. For outage reporting after-hours, weekends and holidays, please call 1-888-879-6038.

In some cases, a homeowner may have experienced damage with their weatherhead where MLEC connects electrical service to your home. If that is the case, you need to contact MLEC to disconnect power and work with a licensed electrician to make repairs before we can fully restore service to your home.

Broadband Update

MLConnect crews have made progress on restoring broadband now that electrical issues from Wednesday and Thursday have almost been resolved. Here are the latest updates on current service disruptions.

• Hickman County- Nunnelly and Hidden Valley
• Lewis County- areas near Rock House, Buffalo Road and Morris Road
• Perry County- Kelly’s Landing and Crooked Creek areas
• Humphreys County- Cuba Landing, Box Hollow Road and Richland Harbor areas

If you are an MLConnect subscriber and power has returned but internet has not, unplug the router from the power source for a few minutes instead of using the reset button. If this does not restore service, submit a ticket online at www.mlec.com/mlconnect/contact-us/. Or, call your local MLEC office; then press OPTION 3, then OPTION 2.

Thank you to our members for their patience as we continue to battle the elements. We are responding as quickly as possible and working hard to restore service to our communities.

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MLEC crews make progress while battling conditions

(April 3, 2025 – Centerville, TN) – Relentless rain and wind have made power and broadband repair efforts difficult over the past 24 hours. Meriwether Lewis crews have worked tirelessly through the elements and have seen their progress fluctuate since the issues last night. It is estimated that less than 200 members, mostly in Houston County, remain without power currently. Outage numbers may vary throughout the night considering flood conditions and forecasted weather.

These weather patterns have been truly difficult for those we serve and those serving. For the safety of our crews and the community, power and broadband restoration efforts will pause overnight and resume at first light. We are grateful our communities have had only a few minor accidents and appreciate your patience and understanding as we diligently work to restore service as quickly and safely as possible.

We will provide our next update by 10:00 a.m.

MLEC crews make progress; Broadband restoration has begun

(April 3, 2025 – Centerville, TN) – Meriwether Lewis crews made significant progress in restoring power Thursday following early morning severe storms. As of 2 p.m., approximately 675 members remain without power with restoration efforts continuing across most counties. Additional crews are assisting in the hardest hit areas in Houston County to expedite repairs.

Current Outage Breakdown:

• Hickman County: Less than 20 outages remain.
• Lewis County: Around 50 members are still without power, primarily on Gay Road (due to broken poles and downed wires) and Tower Ranch Road.
• Perry County: Power has been restored to nearly all members with operations returning to normal.
• Humphreys County: Fewer than 100 outages remain, primarily in the Lakefront area.
• Houston County: Approximately 500 members remain without power in multiple locations, including Grices Creek, Reed Lane, Bethany Lane, Spring Street Loop, Mockingbird, Hagerville Hollow Road, and Fire Tower Road.

MLEC aims to restore power to all members by late tonight except in isolated cases where homeowners must make repairs before service can be reconnected. However, ongoing restoration efforts could be impacted by weather conditions and additional storms. If repairs cannot be completed tonight, crews will pause for safety reasons after more than 24 hours on the job and resume work early tomorrow.

With additional outages possible tonight, individuals who use special medical equipment may want to review their emergency plan and prepare to move to a location that has electricity if necessary.

To report a power outage during regular business hours, please contact your local office. For outage reporting after-hours, weekends and holidays, please call 1-888-879-6038.

MLConnect Broadband Update

MLConnect fiber crews are actively restoring service in areas where power has already been restored. Repairs in other locations will follow as electrical crews move out, ensuring work can be completed more efficiently and safely. Some fiber outages may take several days to repair, and impending weather could cause additional disruptions.

Fiber outage areas include:

• Houston County: Multiple areas in Erin, including Magnolia to Cumberland City and Greenbriar.
• Lewis County: Rock House and Buffalo Roads in Hohenwald.
• Hickman County: Dodd Hollow in Centerville and Hidden Valley.
• Humphreys County: Turkey Creek in Waverly.

If you are an MLConnect subscriber and power has returned but internet has not, unplug the router from the power source for a few minutes instead of using the reset button. If this does not restore service, submit a ticket online at www.mlec.com/mlconnect/contact-us. Or, call your local MLEC office; then press OPTION 3, then OPTION 2.

Meriwether Lewis appreciates our members’ patience as crews work diligently to restore service as quickly and safely as possible. Another update will be provided later as progress continues.

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MLEC crews are working on restoration in all five counties

(April 3, 2025 – Centerville, TN) – Severe storms and heavy rainfall from Wednesday night into Thursday morning have left about 3,500 Meriwether Lewis members without power due to fallen poles, trees and prolonged rain. The affected areas are scattered across our five counties but focused primarily on Houston and Lewis Counties with additional crews working in those areas.

• About 2500 members in Houston County are without power due to large-scale damage at the Highway 49 and 149 intersection with other outages scattered across the county.
• In Lewis County, about 400 members are without power on Grinders Creek, Rockhouse Road and Seiber Ridge with several hours of restoration work remaining. There are also outages on Morris Road, but the damage is less severe.

In Hickman, Perry and Humphreys Counties, outages are sparser with local MLEC lineworkers continuing work.

• Hickman County has less than 200 scattered outages. Some areas include Cavendars Branch, Hickman Spring Road, Dodd Hollow and Lowes Bend.
• Humphreys County also has about 200 outages scattered throughout the county.
• Perry County has less than 10 reported outages.

MLEC crews have worked throughout the night and are prepared for more outages today. As heavy rainfall continues and possible flooding, members should expect more service disruptions. To report a power outage during regular business hours, please contact your local office. For outage reporting after-hours, weekends and holidays, please call 1-888-879-6038.

As for broadband, MLConnect crews will evaluate fiber line damage and create a plan of action once electrical systems are restored and areas are deemed safe.

If you are an MLConnect subscriber and power has returned but Internet has not, unplug the router from the power source for a few minutes instead of using the reset button. If this does not restore service, submit a ticket online at www.mlec.com/mlconnect/. Or, call your local MLEC office; then press OPTION 3, then OPTION 2.

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Next Update: 2:00 p.m. 4/3/25

MLEC shares safety tips for incoming storms and rainfall

(April 2, 2025 – Centerville, TN) – With severe storms Wednesday night and prolonged rainfall forecasted throughout the week, Meriwether Lewis is reviewing its emergency response plan and ready to act when needed. To keep members prepared and informed, here is what you need to know to stay safe.

• “Turn around, don’t drown.” Never walk or drive through floodwater. It only takes 12 inches to sweep away a vehicle.
• If your electrical panel is in a flooded basement, do not enter the water—contact MLEC immediately for guidance.
• If you see a downed line near standing water, do not approach and report it to Meriwether Lewis or 9-1-1.

Flooding may also impact your electric and broadband services:

• Washed-out areas or impassable roads may limit Meriwether Lewis’ ability to respond quickly.
• Flooding and heavy rain can bring down power and fiber lines. Even without strong winds, saturated soil can cause trees to fall on power lines, damaging poles and equipment.
• Extended rainfall will saturate the ground and can make poles more susceptible to breaking or leaning, leading to outages.
• Floodwater poses electrical hazards. Both above-ground and underground electrical equipment can be damaged by rising water, increasing safety risks.
• Rainwater can cause electrical faults. Moisture on insulators can lead to equipment failure and power disruptions.

Regardless of the situation, Meriwether Lewis is ready to respond as safely and swiftly as possible. Most importantly, make every moment matter by being weather aware and reviewing your emergency plans to make sure your household remains safe.

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High school students learn about leadership and state government

(March 28, 2025 – Centerville, TN) – East Hickman High School Junior Izzy Naragon and Waverly Central High School Junior Kyson Summers participated in Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association’s annual Youth Leadership Summit March 17-19 in Nashville, TN.

Each year, Meriwether Lewis works with high schools in the service area to sponsor two juniors on a rotational basis. Naragon and Summers joined by MLEC Marketing Coordinator Memori DePriest spent three days with 44 other high school juniors networking, developing leadership skills and learning about electric cooperatives and government.

During their stay, delegates heard about the importance of the member-owned electric cooperative business model, its impact on communities and how to become a leader. Governor Bill Lee and Secretary of State Tre Hargett joined the group and Representatives Jody Barrett and Jay Reedy met with MLEC delegates continuing the learning experience.

“YLS was an awesome opportunity to meet people from all over Tennessee and socialize, while also teaching about cooperative principles,” Summers said. “It’s an extremely friendly environment full of people excited about what they do.”

“I think YLS is an awesome experience that has personally helped me open up to people more,” Naragon said.

“The Youth Leadership Summit is a great opportunity for students to step out of their comfort zone to grow and meet other students from across the state,” DePriest said. “We’re building future leaders, and it’s an honor to see it happen. I look forward to the future Izzy and Kyson step into.”

Attendees also sharpened their team-building skills by visiting the YMCA Outdoor Center at Camp Widjiwagan and participating in scavenger hunt exercises. Students were also reminded about the importance of electrical safety through live demonstrations from Tennessee Job Training and Safety.

A night of Nashville classics also filled the agenda with a visit to the Goo Goo Cluster Store, the Country Music Hall of Fame and an Andy Grammer concert at The Ryman.

Cutline – MLEC Youth Leadership Summit Delegates Kyson Summers and Izzy Naragon meet their State Representatives Jay Reedy and Jody Barrett in front of the State Capitol Building. From left to right: Reedy, Summers, Naragon and Barrett.

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MLEC crews continue to work in Hickman County

(March 5, 2025 – Centerville, TN) – Restoration efforts are nearing completion across the Meriwether Lewis service area after high wind gusts and heavy rain caused fallen trees and downed power lines. Thanks to the work of MLEC lineworker crews, fewer than 100 members are still impacted system-wide. While most counties have returned to normal operations, Hickman County remains a primary focus as restoration efforts continue throughout the day.

Some areas in Hickman County still affected include:

• Stud Welding
• East Haley’s Creek
• Wolf Creek
• Buck Litton Road

“We understand how difficult it is to be without power, especially overnight, and we truly appreciate our members’ patience,” MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan said. “The storm left challenging conditions such as fallen trees and rough terrain, which made restoration efforts more complex. Our crews are working as quickly and safely as possible and additional lineworkers are assisting to get power restored.”

In addition to power restoration in Hickman County, teams are also assessing fiber service damage. Approximately 250 subscribers are impacted mainly in the Pinewood area and Buck Litton Road. Updates will be provided as soon as more information is available.

To report a power outage during regular business hours, please contact your local office.

For outage reporting after-hours, weekends and holidays, please call 1-888-879-6038.

If you are an MLConnect subscriber and power has returned but Internet has not, unplug the router from the power source for a few minutes instead of using the reset button. If this does not restore service, submit a ticket online at www.mlec.com/mlconnect/. Or, call your local MLEC office; then press OPTION 3, then OPTION 2. Once power lines are back in service, broadband crews will begin repairing fiber.                                                                                                 ####

Tennessee Council of Cooperatives Holds Conference

(February 24, 2025 – Centerville, TN) – Colby and Lauren Hamm (left) of Hohenwald were sponsored by Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative to attend the Young Leaders Conference held February 21 and 22 in Franklin. The event is a combined effort of the Tennessee Council of Cooperatives, the Tennessee Farm Bureau, and the Tennessee Young Farmers & Ranchers organization. MLEC Member Services Representative Mallory McDonald presented them with a care package before the conference.

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MLEC shares guidelines for Thursday

(February 19, 2025– Centerville, TN) — In anticipation of frigid temperatures and high energy demands, TVA is asking the public to limit electric use starting at 6:00 a.m. Thursday morning. MLEC will also take steps in-house to conserve energy and request members to follow TVA’s guidelines to help maintain a stable power grid.

Residents are asked to reduce energy consumption by delaying the use of large appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines and electric dryers until further notice. Also, turn off unnecessary devices and lights, and when possible, adjust thermostats down a degree or two. Once TVA returns to normal operations, MLEC will communicate the changes to members.

MLEC is a local electric distribution cooperative that purchases its power from TVA. As part of the agreement, MLEC is required to support TVA in electric load curtailments to maintain reliability during rare circumstances such as winter weather events.

“MLEC apologizes for this inconvenience to members,” said MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan. “We appreciate our members’ efforts to conserve electricity as temperatures continue to drop. Small adjustments can make a big difference in maintaining reliability for everyone. MLEC is also doing its part, and we’ll continue to keep our members informed.”

During frigid temperatures, MLEC also understands the importance of safety while following curtailment guidelines. We encourage members to check on elderly or disabled neighbors to ensure they remain warm throughout the night. For other safety tips and energy efficiency questions, visit mlec.com.

MLEC shares safety tips for the use of space heaters

(January 22, 2025 – Centerville, TN) — With frigid temperatures, many people turn to convenient heating sources such as space heaters or stoves to stay warm. However, electric, kerosene and wood-powered heaters can be dangerous if not properly used. Make every moment matter by following these MLEC tips to stay warm safely.

• Keep the heater at least 3 feet from flammable items such as curtains, furniture or bedspreads.        
• Select a heater with a guard around the heating element to help protect children and animals.
• Carbon monoxide can cause headaches and even death in high doses. If your heater burns fuel like gasoline, kerosene, wood or chippings, install carbon monoxide detectors to alert you of dangerous levels.
• Never leave a space heater unattended and never go to sleep with the heater on.
• Keep heaters away from water to prevent electrocution.
• Be sure the heater’s plug fits snugly in an outlet. The cord and plug may feel warm when operating since the unit draws so much power, but they should not feel hot. If they do, unplug the heater and have a qualified repair person check for problems.

Space heaters also take a toll on energy bills. If you are using them throughout your home, it may be time to upgrade your home’s heating system. Contact MLEC for a free energy audit, home evaluation and rebate opportunities.

For more home safety tips, visit us at mlec.com or contact your local office.

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