MLEC Continues Restoration Efforts as Ice Storm Damage Remains Widespread

Crews focusing on main lines and hard-to-reach areas

(9:00 a.m. January 30, 2026 – Centerville, TN) – Crews are off and running this morning as Meriwether Lewis enters day six of restoration efforts following Winter Storm Fern. What began with more than 13,000 outages has now been reduced to under 5,000 thanks to steady progress and the continued support of mutual aid crews. Approximately 4,700 members remain without power across Hickman, Lewis, and Perry counties.

Nearly 200 additional personnel are assisting MLEC crews today as restoration continues. Significant progress has been made on main lines, but additional work remains. Crews are still prioritizing these main lines while also pushing deeper into communities where access has improved. Areas where crews will be concentrated to start today include:

Hickman County: Swan, Raleigh’s Chapel, Ugly Creek, Wade’s Branch, Totty’s Bend, Coble, Lowe’s Bend, Wolf Creek, Flowers Lane, Mason Bates Road, Dodd Hollow, Easley Bend, Paul Fields Road, Baker Lane, Rial Road, West Sugar Creek, Glenn Hinson Road, Bells Branch, McFarlin Road, Davis Branch, Locust Creek, East Haley’s Creek Road, Country Lane, Mobley Ridge, and Sheboss. Isolated individual services will also be addressed where possible.

Lewis County: Piney, Napier Road, areas beyond NACO, Railroad Bed, Summertown Highway, Rockdale Trace, Rackley Road, The Farm area, Certified Drive, Woodland Road, Trace Creek off Waynesboro Highway, Ridge Top, Mt. Joy, parts of Big Swan, Goodman Branch, Ponderosa Drive, Roney Street, Mercury Street, Joe Avenue, Borum Avenue, and Kappler Lane. Crews will also reach isolated individual services as access allows.

Perry County: Pleasantville, Sugar Hill, Rockhouse, Sinking Creek, Upper and Lower Marsh Creek, Red Bank, Old Highway 20, and Hurricane Creek. The White Oak, Cedar Creek, Jones Hollow, and Burns Ridge areas remain significantly damaged, with portions still unreachable. Multiple power and right-of-way crews are working in those areas again today.

MLEC sincerely thanks our crews and mutual aid partners, who continue working together to support our members. This progress has been made possible through the combined efforts of local road departments, emergency responders, and community members helping clear debris.

We also thank local churches and volunteers for keeping our community fed, warm and safe. This restoration effort remains a true community response, and every clear road and repaired line brings us one step closer.

An additional update will be shared at 4:00 p.m. Friday as work continues

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Crews conclude day five making progress in Hickman, Lewis and Perry

(9:00 p.m. January 29, 2026 – Centerville, TN) – After another long day of restoration efforts by Meriwether Lewis crews, less than 5,000 outages remain across the service area. This includes 1,900 in Perry County, 1,500 in Lewis County and 1,300 in Hickman County.

We are getting closer, but the job is not done, and crews will continue working hard until every member has power restored. Steady progress is being made. Widespread tree damage remains across the system, and restoration continues to require careful, step-by-step repairs to main lines before crews can move into smaller areas.

“No one here is standing still,” said President and CEO Keith Carnahan. “Our crews are working dawn to dark in dangerous conditions every day. Each repair brings us one step closer, and crews will be back at it early again tomorrow to keep that momentum going.”

This remains a true community effort. Our crews, mutual aid partners, local emergency responders, county and city governments, churches, and volunteers are working together to support our members and keep communities safe.

Thank you for your continued patience and support as restoration efforts continue. We will touch base again with our membership at 9:00 a.m. Friday.

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Through every curve and country road, there are no strangers in this effort

Meriwether Lewis crews are working alongside more than 200 additional personnel, marking the largest mutual aid response the cooperative has received in over 30 years. This level of support speaks to the scale of the widespread and severe damage across our entire service area.

We are incredibly grateful for the linemen and support crews working long hours in difficult conditions. They are from Service Electric, Trees, Inc. Holston Electric Cooperative, North Georgia Electric Membership Corporation, Southwest Electric Membership Corporation, Jackson Purchase Energy Cooperative and West KY Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation. We also thank our local EMA offices, county and city governments, TDOT, road departments, churches, and volunteers who are helping clear roads and keep our communities safe.

Through every curve and country road, there are no strangers in this effort. This is a true community response, and we are all in this together. We will provide a progress update at 9:00 p.m. this evening.

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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MLEC and 180 Additional Personnel Working in Hickman, Lewis and Perry Counties

(9:00 p.m. January 28, 2026 – Centerville, TN) – As night sets in on day four of Winter Storm Fern recovery efforts, Meriwether Lewis reports 8200 meters remain without power. This includes 3400 in Perry County, 2800 in Hickman County, and 2000 in Lewis County.

“It isn’t the meters we worry about,” says MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan. “It is the families and businesses they represent and knowing they are in need that keeps our linemen and volunteers working 16 plus hours for the fourth day in a row. We are dedicated to seeing it through until each member has power and broadband restored.”

The sheer magnitude of damage, lingering ice, frigid temperatures and locations still unreachable due to debris limit the speed of restoration, but progress is steady. These conditions and fatigue make a dangerous job even harder, so crews will break later tonight for safety and will resume early in the morning.

Tennessee’s electric cooperatives are deeply grateful for the cooperation and support shown by members, partner agencies and communities during this unprecedented restoration effort. MLEC alone has 180 lineworkers and right of way personnel assisting in our area. This level of support reflects the severity of the storm and the cooperative commitment to restoring power as quickly and safely as possible.

MLEC shares these reminders:

• If using a generator, make sure your main breaker is turned OFF for the safety of those in your home and working on power lines. Keep the unit outside well away from windows and doors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Check on friends and neighbors without power and support as you can.
• Look for an update around 9 a.m. tomorrow, including a list of areas where crews will be working. Although all areas without power will not be listed, we are aware of additional outages and are addressing them as quickly and safely as possible, giving attention to main lines first so that the greatest number of people can be restored at one time. As main lines are repaired, single phase lines and individual services can be addressed.

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More mutual aid arrives to support ongoing efforts in areas shared earlier

(4:00 p.m. January 28, 2026 – Centerville, TN) – Meriwether Lewis crews continue power and broadband restoration efforts this afternoon in some areas listed this morning and others. Progress has been made today, and additional crews arrived to support local lineworkers and the other 175 working in the MLEC service area. Current work remains focused on main feeder lines, so MLEC crews can make their way deeper into impacted communities.

We understand there are members in other locations still waiting for service to be restored. Please know we are aware of outages throughout the service area and are working as quickly and safely as conditions allow us to reach each location.

Hickman, Lewis and Perry County offices will be closed for in-person visits Thursday and Friday, January 29 and 30, to allow employees to focus on power and broadband repairs. Humphreys and Houston County offices will be open for normal business hours. Outage calls will still be fielded at all offices. To report an outage, please continue to call your local district office or the after-hours number 1-888-879-6038.

Outage totals will be updated and shared during a 9:00 p.m. update this evening. Thank you for

your continued patience and understanding as crews push forward with restoration efforts.

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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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Crews focus on main line repairs as just under 13,000 remain without power

(4:00 p.m. January 27, 2026 – Centerville, TN) – Today brought slow progress and setbacks due to continued falling trees for Meriwether Lewis crews. Damage from the ice storm remains significant, and recovery is expected to take at least a couple of weeks. Crews will continue working late tonight with the hopes of more progress before suspending for safety and starting fresh in the morning.

At this hour, those without power are primarily in Hickman, Lewis and Perry counties. MLEC expects totals to fluctuate as restoration continues and additional damage is identified. Numerous locations are still inaccessible due to downed trees and icy roads, and crews will work daily until everyone has power restored.

This evening, Meriwether Lewis power and broadband crews are focused on repairing main distribution lines that serve entire communities with the help of 150 additional individuals who have responded to support restoration efforts. The following large-scale lines are currently being addressed:

Hickman County: Coble, Morgan’s Creek, Gray’s Bend, Highway 50 East, Williamsport and Leatherwood, Pinewood, Hidden Valley, Aetna, and Beaverdam.

Lewis County: New Kimmins, Twin Oaks, Waynesboro Highway, Summertown Highway, Drake Lane, Buffalo Road, Oak Grove, Linden Highway, Darbytown, and Piney Creek.

Perry County: Pineview, Flatwoods, Cedar Creek, Highway 412 West, and Only.

With additional outages occurring today, there are still approximately 4000 without power in Hickman County, 3900 in Lewis County, and 4750 in Perry County. Humphreys County will be finishing up individual service locations over the next few days, and Houston County operations have returned to normal.

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.

“Thinking of our members and what they are going through keeps us pushing in these conditions,” says MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan. “We may be dealing with one some of the most wide-scale damage to our system in my 11 years at MLEC. Repairs are going to take time, and we can’t thank our members, partners, and employees enough for their patience as we work through this together.”

Members who have experienced damage to their weatherhead should turn off their main breaker and contact their local MLEC office. Members are encouraged to call if they remain without power, especially in Humphreys and Houston County.

MLEC understands that many residents are entering a third day without electricity. Members are encouraged to contact their local Emergency Management Agency (EMA) for warming shelter information or reach out to neighbors, friends, or family members with safe heating options.

An additional update will be provided at 9:00 a.m., January 28, 2026.

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Crews focus on main line repairs as 13,000 outages still remain

(9 a.m. Update January 27, 2026 – Centerville, TN) – Meriwether Lewis crews are continuing restoration efforts today across the five-county service area as damage from Ice Storm Fern remains widespread. As of this morning, 13,000 are still without power, though that number may fluctuate as restoration continues and additional damage is found.

Crews are prioritizing repairs to main lines that serve communities before moving deeper into affected areas. Today’s work is focused on main lines leading into the following locations:

Hickman County: Coble, Morgan’s Creek, Gray’s Bend, Highway 50 East, Williamsport and Leatherwood, Pinewood, Hidden Valley

Lewis County: New Kimmins, Twin Oaks, Waynesboro Highway, Summertown Highway, Drake Lane, Buffalo Road, Oak Grove, Linden Highway, Darbytown, Piney Creek

Perry County: Pineview, Flatwoods, Cedar Creek, Highway 412 West, Only

Current outage estimates by county include approximately 4,000 members in Hickman County, 3,900 in Lewis County, 5,000 in Perry County, and around 100 in Humphreys County. Houston County operations have returned to normal.

Due to the extent of system-wide damage caused by ice accumulation and falling trees, members should prepare for extended outages with full restoration currently estimated to take up to two weeks in Hickman, Lewis and Perry Counties. Humphreys County is expected to take a few more days. Additional outages may occur as weakened trees and limbs continue to fall or snap back in place as the ice melts.

To report an outage, please continue to call your local district office or the after-hours number 1-888-879-6038. This is especially important in Humphreys and Houston counties where only individual outages remain. Phone lines have been restored at Lewis and Perry County offices.

More than 150 additional mutual aid personnel, including lineworkers and right-of-way crews, are assisting MLEC crews as restoration continues. Broadband crews are also working to repair damaged fiber across the service area. However, many broadband repairs must wait until electric service is restored.

Members who have experienced damage to their weatherhead are asked to turn off their main breaker and contact their local MLEC office. For more details about your weatherhead, please visit mlec.com and MLEC social medias. Stay clear of downed power lines, avoid hazardous roadways when possible, and give crews space to work safely.

MLEC recognizes that many members are entering their third day without electricity. Prioritize safety by contacting their local Emergency Management Agency (EMA) for information about warming shelters or reaching out to neighbors, friends, or family members with safe heating options.

“Our members are tired, cold, and concerned, and that is why MLEC keeps pushing forward. Please know we are working as quickly and safely as conditions allow with our full focus on restoring service to our communities, “said President and CEO Keith Carnahan. “We are incredibly proud of our crews, mutual aid partners, emergency responders, and local officials for what they’ve accomplished under extremely difficult conditions.”

An additional update will be provided at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday.

14,000 members remain without power

Meriwether Lewis crews continued restoration efforts today across the service area as ice-related damage remains widespread and unpredictable. Throughout the day, power was restored in multiple locations only to be lost again as additional trees and limbs fell. As of this update, an estimated 14,000 members are currently without power.

Most outages remain concentrated in Hickman, Lewis, and Perry counties, where damage is extensive and access continues to be limited by fallen trees and hazardous road conditions. MLEC offices will be closed to the public on Tuesday, January 27 to focus on restoration efforts. For members reporting outages, please call the MLEC after-hours outage number at 1-888-879-6038.

Members should continue to prepare for extended outages. Ice storms create system-wide damage, and restoration will take time as crews work safely. MLEC currently has approximately 150 additional mutual aid workers assisting with restoration efforts. These include a combination of lineworkers and right-of-way crews from Service Electric, Holston Electric, North Georgia EMC and Trees, Inc.

MLEC understands that many members are approaching 48 hours without power. We know this is difficult, especially with cold temperatures, and we want members to prioritize their safety. Members are encouraged to contact their local Emergency Management Agency (EMA) for information about warming shelters or reach out to neighbors, friends, or family members who may have safe warming options available.

As a safety reminder, please stay clear of downed power lines and give crews the space they need to work safely. If travel is necessary, use extreme caution as road conditions remain hazardous in many areas.

MLEC also wants to extend sincere thanks to emergency responders, local officials, and volunteers who are supporting our communities during this event. Their efforts, alongside ours, are making a meaningful difference for those affected.

“We appreciate the patience, understanding, and resilience of our members,” President and CEO Keith Carnahan said. “Our crews alongside mutual aid are pushing as hard as conditions allow, working long hours in dangerous environments with the goal of restoring power safely to our communities as quickly as possible.”

A more detailed system-wide update will be shared Tuesday morning as damage assessments continue.

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