Expect power outages as ice threatens Memphis this weekend
Ice coats power lines near Downtown in 2022. (Bill Dries/The Daily Memphian file)
Memphis Light, Gas and Water said residents should expect power outages given the chances for ice accumulation over 0.5 inches this weekend.
It cautioned that conditions could be as bad as the 1994 ice storm that crippled Memphis.
#MLGW is preparing for Winter Storm Fern, which has the potential to be as impactful as the 1994 ice storm that brought our area to a stand-still. The forecast calls for a mix of snow, freezing rain and sleet. While the forecasts will get more refined as the storm gets closer,… pic.twitter.com/cCZIOuX1kg
— MLGW (@MLGW) January 22, 2026
The utility said the accumulation of ice on trees and power lines would lead to lines falling and potential widespread power outages. Those outages could last for days.
MLGW said it had 95 overhead line crews and 80 tree-trimming crews ready to respond.
The utility also said that it expected issues with the water system given the frozen temperatures and told residents to stockpile water so that each member of a household would have enough water for a few days.
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Memphis Light Gas and Water Winter Storm 2026Samuel Hardiman
Samuel Hardiman is an enterprise reporter who focuses on government and politics. He began his career at the Tulsa World where he covered business and K-12 education. Hardiman came to Memphis in 2018 to join the Memphis Business Journal, covering government and economic development. He then served as the Commercial Appeal’s city hall reporter and later joined The Daily Memphian in 2023. His current work focuses on the intersection of government, public policy, influence and how public dollars are spent.
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