Winter Storm Fern Recovery Continues

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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