Corinne S Kennedy,Brooke MuckermanMemphis Commercial Appeal
Three days after a powerful band of thunderstorms tore through the Mid-South, tens of thousands of Memphis, Light, Gas & Water customers were still without power. As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, there were more than 28,000 MLGW customers waiting for their power to be restored as temperatures threatened to reach dangerous highs.
Sundays' storms resulted in, at the worst point, 120,000 MLGW customers without power as well as damage to some water infrastructure. However, the boil advisory that had been issued for a small number of customers in the northern part of Shelby County was lifted Wednesday.
"The advisory has been lifted after analytical results taken from the water system met all state and federal water quality standards," MLGW said in a statement.
Updates from Tuesday: 47K still without power, Shelby County mayor declares state of emergency
MLGW CEO Doug McGowen said in a statement Tuesday evening that the utility's "priority is to restore power as quickly as possible to everyone and to ensure that we do not precipitate another emergency, and so we focus on ensuring water and sewer systems continue to function and that hospitals can stay open. The MLGW water system has returned to normal operations and is maintaining normal pressures throughout the system."
The high level of outages and dangerously hot temperatures expected later in the week led Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris to declare a county-wide state of emergency Tuesday. Lakeland Mayor Josh Roman declared a state of emergency for the town Wednesday.
Here's what else to know.
Power restoration work ongoing
McGowen has said since Monday that people should be prepared to be without electricity for several days and asked people to do what they can to help friends, family and neighbors who are without power.
McGowen added Tuesday evening that crews have "completed all the 'low-hanging fruit' restoration work" and were moving onto jobs that would take more time and resources. He said there were 90 repair crews working on Tuesday and another 10 would join them Wednesday.
"They are joined by 79 tree trimming crews who are clearing debris away from damaged infrastructure, 50 damageassessment teams and 40 troubleshooters," McGowen said in a press release.
Dangerous temperatures expected Thursday, Friday
According to the National Weather Service Memphis office, humidity is starting to build in the Mid-South and temperatures in the 90s are expected Wednesday. However, Thursday and Friday will see temperatures around 100 degrees and a possible heat index of over 110.
A heat advisory takes effect at 11 a.m. Wednesday and an excessive heat watch goes into effect at 11 a.m. Thursday for much of the Mid-South.
Cooling centers, device charging locations
With the extreme heat on the way, several cooling centers have opened across the county for those in need.
The City of Memphis has identified the following cooling centers:
- Raleigh Library ― 3452 Austin Peay Hwy, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Cordova Library ― 8457 Trinity Rd., 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Frayser Raleigh Senior Center ― 3985 Egypt Central Rd., 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- For The Kingdom Retreat Center ― 4100 Raleigh Millington Rd., 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Shelby County disaster declaration identified the Day Center at the Baker Community Center, 7942 Church St. in Millington, as a cooling center. It will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
The following AT&T stores are allowing people without power to charge mobile devices in the store:
In Shelby County:
- 4938 Poplar Ave. ― 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- 6267 Poplar Ave. ― 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- 3720 Hack Cross Rd. ― 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- 2282 Union Ave. ― 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- 2825 N Germantown Pkwy ― 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- 1684 N Germantown Pkwy ― 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- 5985 Stage Rd. ― 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- 900 West Poplar Ave. ― 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
T-Mobile announced via a Tweet that stores around the Memphis area are also allowing people without power to charge mobile devices in their stores. A Wi-Fi trailer will also be located at 7237 US-64 in Oakland for residents to connect to for the rest of Wednesday.
Shelby County Commissioners said the Cordova Community Center, 1017 N Sanga Rd., and Bert Fergason Community Center, 8505 Trinity Rd., will also serve as cooling centers. However, it was not immediately clear what the hours will be for those facilities.
In DeSoto County:
- 115 Goodman Rd. West ― 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- 5050 Goodman Rd. ― 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
In Crittenden County:
- 650 West Service Rd. ― 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Food and water distribution
Memphis City Councilwoman Rhonda Logan has partnered with the Tennessee Valley Authority and For the Kingdom to distribute meals and water in Raleigh and Cordova.
Meals will be distributed Wednesday after 1 p.m. at the Raleigh Library Roundabout, 3452 Austin Peay Hwy, and the Frayser-Raleigh Senior Center, 3985 Egypt Central Rd.
Water will be available at the cooling centers at Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 7289 Hwy 64 and For the Kingdom, 4100 Raleigh Millington Rd.
How to report downed power lines and gas leaks to MLGW
The utility asked customers to call 528-4465 to report emergencies like downed power lines and gas leaks and to use their MLGW My Account or call 544-6500 to report outages and get updates on power restoration timelines. Customers can also check the online outage map atmlgw.com/outagecenter.
MLGW also reminded customers not to approach downed powerlines, as they could still be energized and potentially deadly. They also advised customers to take precautions in clearing vegetation if downed power lines are in the vicinity.
In addition to the widespread power outages in the Memphis area, the same storm system knocked out power to more than 700,000 customers in Arkansas, Kentucky, Georgia and the rest of Tennessee.
