Memphis avoided major power outages during a recent winter storm. How?
Even though it was colder for longer, Memphis got a welcome surprise this past storm: The power mostly stayed on.
Topic: power outages
RSSThere are 36 article(s) tagged power outages:
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January 2024
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December 2023
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Christmas candles helped light darkened city during 2022 outages
Memphians who’ve lost power for a long stretch can tell you: It doesn’t matter if it was last December or decades ago, they remember it vividly.
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July 2023
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Domino effect of power problems from Memphis hit North Mississippi
An “event” at a Memphis substation led to power outages in North Mississippi, low water pressure in parts of the Bluff City and flaring at Valero Energy Corp.’s local refinery. Now, the Shelby County Health Department is monitoring the situation for potential health impacts.
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MLGW’s recovery efforts down to last few customers
Memphis Light, Gas and Water wrapped up its week-long recovery efforts Tuesday, July 25, after restoring power to all but 17 customers, who should be restored soon.
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MLGW says all repairs will be finished by midnight Tuesday
In the past year and a half, outages have impacted 800,000 customers; that number is the equivalent of every MLGW customer losing power twice.
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State of Emergency declared for Shelby County
Mayor Lee Harris declared a State of Emergency in Shelby County on Monday, July 24, following thunderstorms last week that resulted in loss of power and water to thousands.
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A new normal? Generators supplement sketchy utility services
After relentless waves of destructive summer storms in the Memphis metro area, generators are a hot commodity. Consumers are even turning to whole-house generators.
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Overnight, afternoon storms create new power outages
On Friday afternoon around 1:30 p.m., another line of storms crossed the Mississippi River. As of 12 a.m. Saturday, MLGW was reporting more than 42,000 customers without power.
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Germantown water testing results delayed
Results of the water sample testing were initially expected Saturday, but that was before an overnight power outage at the Memphis Light, Gas and Water testing lab.
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800K outages in 18 months: MLGW years behind on upkeep and upgrades
“In some cases, we’re seven, eight, nine years behind. We have got to get back on schedule, and we will. The City Council has already approved this. My board has already approved this,” MLGW’s CEO said.
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Power outages to last until Sunday for some MLGW customers
The majority of outages remaining from Tuesday’s storm are in six clusters: Raleigh, Frayser, Berclair, East Memphis, Germantown and Hickory Hill.
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Barrage of storms complicate long-term improvements at MLGW
Normal Station has been one of the areas hardest hit by power outages, but modernizing the community’s electric equipment has resulted in a 50% improvement in reliability.
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MLGW estimates power outages will last several days
Straight line winds downed 11 power poles on Winchester Road, knocking thousands off the grid. Lightning also tripped breakers at utility substations, which McGowen said “had a pretty dramatic impact that we don’t typically see.”
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Power outages the eighth-worst in MLGW’s history
Historical data from MLGW shows the worst storms in its history, based on the number of customers who lost power. More than a third of those happened in the past year and half.
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Power outages spike Tuesday during severe thunderstorms, heat advisory
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MLGW chief: Failure to trim trees increased outages fivefold
If MLGW had met its tree-trimming goals, trees would have caused an estimated 25 circuit outages in 2020, according to utility President and CEO Doug McGowen. Instead, they caused 120.
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Power is back on for 99.9% of MLGW customers
By Wednesday evening, fewer than 500 MLGW customers were dealing with outages.
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‘I don’t want customers to lose hope': Second week of storms knocks power out for 35,000
Another weekend storm with winds up to 60 miles per hour has left crews with more downed trees and power lines to address.
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Hardest hit suburbs struggle with storm damage
The hard-hit suburbs of Northeast Shelby County are still dealing with power outages, downed trees and congested intersections as a result of last weekend’s storm.
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Summer nights, hotter than they used to be, offer little relief in outages
Even after the sun sets, there won’t be much of a break from the heat, especially for the remaining Memphis Light, Gas and Water customers whose power is still out.
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June 2023
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MLGW expects current power outages to continue through the weekend
The utility replaced more than 350 wooden utility poles in three days.
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Vegetation responsible for ‘vast majority’ of recent power problems
MLGW needs to clear about 1,400 miles of vegetation each year to maintain its tree-trimming schedule; in the past four years combined, however, it hasn’t been able to meet that goal.
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Shelby County declares state of emergency in storm aftermath
The 50,000 customers still waiting on power to be restored can cool down at Baker Community Center as temperatures approach triple digits.
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MLGW expects boil water advisory to end tomorrow
55,000 MLGW customers without power as triple-digit temperatures approach
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MLGW expects boil water advisory to end tomorrow
MLGW President and CEO Doug McGowen said Tuesday that power has been restored to the pumping stations and water pressure is continuing to build.
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55,000 MLGW customers without power as triple-digit temperatures approach
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Sunday storm aftermath gallery: Photos and video from the destruction
Mid-South residents shared their images from after Sunday’s thunderstorms.
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Thousands lost power in Memphis, full restoration not until Wednesday
MLGW said in a press release Sunday that most customers should have power by Tuesday evening “unless severe weather returns to our area.” The utility expects full restoration by Wednesday night.
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