NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Over 115,500 NES customers and nearly 32,000 CEMC customers were without power due to weather-related outages by 3:30 p.m. Friday, totaling more than 147,000 impacted in the Middle Tennessee area.
Reported outages totaled approximately 2,300 NES customers around 12:48 p.m. and continued to climb through the afternoon as winds raged through the region.
High Wind Warning through 6pm.
— Bree Sunshine Smith (@NC5_BreeSmith) March 3, 2023
Winds will stay VERY strong through 6pm.
We just had a 79mph gust in Clarksville!
Wind becomes calm late tonight.@nc5 pic.twitter.com/T3Q2YvbuiU
View photos of the damage that raged across the Middle Tennesse region in the wake of the winds.
NES released the following statement:
At this hour, there are just over 114,000 NES customers without power after this morning’s storm line passed through and a wind advisory has remained in effect until 6:00pm this evening. Nearly 3,000 customers have had their power restored so far as 28 NES crews continue to work around the clock until power is restored for all. Damaged equipment has been reported in every part of the NES service area. Roughly 48 of the lines down are major transmission lines that supply power to thousands of Middle Tennesseans. Many crews are focusing their efforts on clearing storm debris from those lines so they can be reattached. At this time, we have 18 broken power poles that will need to be replaced. Additional contract crews are being identified to support the restoration effort. Look for more updates to be provided as they are available.
CEMC released the following statement:
Storms and high winds that passed through our service area today have caused extensive damage to the CEMC system. As of 6:00 pm, we have over 45,000 members out associated with 809 separate outages. Due to the widespread damage and some roads being impassable because of downed trees, restoration is slow. Currently, all CEMC crews are working and more crews from other areas are in route to assist. At this time, we cannot provide any estimated times for restoration. Unfortunately, members should expect to be without power overnight. Some may experience multi-day outages.
Anyone with a medical necessity is advised to seek other arrangements. Remember to stay away from downed power equipment. The safety of our community and our employees is our top priority. Thank you for your patience while we work to restore power as quickly and as safely as possible.
(3/4) Unfortunately, members should expect to be without power overnight. Some may experience multi-day outages.
— Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation (@CumberlandEMC) March 3, 2023
Anyone with a medical necessity is advised to seek other arrangements. Remember to stay away from downed power equipment.
The number of CEMC customers without power reached 61,000, but the company announced it was making repairs that could take days.
(1/2) UPDATE 10:00 pm - Crews have managed to reduce the number of total outages from 61,000 to around 25,000 over the last few hours. They will continue to work through the night. Additional crews from other areas will be available to help first thing Saturday morning.
— Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation (@CumberlandEMC) March 4, 2023
To view the full list of which areas remain affected, NES has an interactive map on its website, as does CEMC.
Remember to stay weather-aware as storms pass through the area. The Middle Tennessee area is under a Storm 5 Alert.
