55,000 MLGW customers without power as triple-digit temperatures approach
Storm damage along Seed Tick Road in Lakeland following the Sunday evening storms on June 25, 2023. (Courtesy Wesley Alan Wright)
Important numbers
-To report power outages: 544-6500
-To report emergencies such as downed power lines or gas leaks: 528-4465
- To check status of your outage: Use the MLGW website’s My Account feature
- To check the utility’s outage map: mlgw.com/outagecenter
- To view the emergency response dashboard: mlgw.com/stormresponse
At least 55,000 Memphis-area residents are still without power and could be for days, even as triple-digit temperatures descend on the area.
By Tuesday morning, power had been restored for about half of the Shelby County residents who lost electricity during Sunday night’s super cell thunderstorms. The weekend storm — the sixth worst in Memphis Light, Gas and Water’s history, according to the utility — knocked out power for one-quarter of customers.
Crews are working around the clock to aid restoration, which MLGW President and CEO Doug McGowen said involves significant tree cutting work. As temperatures rise, the utility is encouraging customers without power to rely on friends and family for shelter, if needed.
“I am aware that temperatures will dramatically increase over Wednesday, and there is urgency to get as much power restored as quickly as we can,” McGowen said in a letter released late Monday. “I ask for similar urgency for all of us to check on the welfare of neighbors and family.”
Parts of northern Shelby County are still under a precautionary boil water advisory because of low water pressure, but there are no reported impacts on water quality.
McGowen will provide updates during a press conference at noon.
Topics
Memphis Light Gas & Water power outageKeely Brewer
Keely Brewer is a Report for America corps member covering environmental impacts on communities of color in Memphis. She is working in partnership with the Ag & Water Desk, a sustainable reporting network aimed at telling water and agriculture stories across the Mississippi River Basin.
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