MLGW expects full restoration by 9 p.m.

MLGW crews, outside contractors completing restoration of customers affected by June 18 storm

(June 20, 2017) –Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division will complete full restoration by 9 p.m. for those customers affected by the June 18 storms.

Fewer than 50 customers remain without power on day two of the restoration effort.

Storms moved through Shelby County at 2:45 p.m. on Sunday, June 18, causing more than 42,000 MLGW customers to lose power. Since then, MLGW and 42 outside contract crews have been working around the clock to restore power.

More than 42,000 customers affected by Sunday storms

More than 42,000 MLGW customers lost power due to storms that moved through Shelby County at 2:45 p.m. on Sunday.

The utility immediately began damage assessment and storm restoration efforts.

Forty-two contract crews will assist MLGW crews with restoration efforts.

Important MLGW contact information for customers:

•  Outage Reporting: 544-6500

•  Emergency: 528-4465 (This number should be treated like 911. Gas leaks, electrical lines down.)

•  Customer Care Center: 820-7878

Shelby County Road Department Will Pick Up Storm Debris in Unincorporated Areas

Starting temporarily this week, residents in the unincorporated neighborhoods of Shelby County can place tree debris from the recent storm at the street for removal.

“We know people have been very inconvenienced by last month’s storm.  Based on the amount of roadside debris piled up along the roadways, we wanted our public works crews to be of assistance,” said Shelby County Mayor Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.

Limbs can be no longer than eight (8) feet. 

Unincorporated area residents can call the Shelby County Roads and Bridges Department directly at (901) 222-7705 for tree debris removal, not associated with a contractor’s work. 

“Hired contractors are to haul away tree limbs they cut.  We also will not pick up any household trash or construction debris.  This special pickup is for non-contracted tree debris only,” says Tom Needham, Director of Shelby County Public Works.

Needham says it may take several weeks before limbs can be removed.  “We’re asking people to be patient with us.  There’s a lot of work to be done,” added Needham.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam Asks for Federal Disaster Declaration to Assist 12 Counties Recovering from Memorial Weekend Storms

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today requested President Donald Trump declare a major disaster in Tennessee from the severe storms and straight-line winds of May 27, and May 28, 2017, in order to make federal assistance available for recovery efforts in the State’s impacted city and county jurisdictions.

“Community leaders, emergency managers, first responders, local officials and non-profits across Tennessee have worked tirelessly to help their neighbors recover from the impacts of the severe storms,“ Haslam said. “I believe we have demonstrated to federal officials the need for assistance exists and if granted will lessen some of the financial burden on local governments and utilities that have stretched their resources in storm response and recovery efforts.”

Gov. Haslam’s request specifically asks for federal Public Assistance, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to be available to 12 of the Tennessee counties impacted during the May 27 and May 28 storms.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program reimburses local and state governments, and certain private, nonprofit organizations, for work or repairs for debris removal, emergency protective measures, roads and bridges, water control facilities, buildings and equipment, utilities, and recreational facilities.
The Public Assistance request includes the counties of: Blount, Cumberland, Fayette, Knox, Loudon, Morgan, Putnam, Rhea, Roane, Sevier, Shelby, and Smith.

The declaration request also includes a specific request for Individual Assistance for Shelby County, which, if awarded, would provide direct assistance from the federal government to Shelby County residents demonstrating eligibility.

Information about FEMA's Public Assistance program is at: https://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit.

Information on FEMA’s Individual Assistance program is at: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4294-4297/updates/fact-sheet-what-femas-individual-assistance-program.

On May 31, 2017, Director Patrick Sheehan of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) requested FEMA send federal teams to Tennessee to begin preliminary damage assessments to quantify to federal authorities the magnitude of storm damage in Tennessee.

The assessments showed damages to utilities alone in the 12 requested counties totaled $15.9 million, with an additional $14.6 million in local government expenditures for emergency work
related to the storms’ impacts, primarily in the clean-up of debris.

"Scores of Tennesseans suffered in the aftermath of these storms, with many left with destroyed or very damaged homes,” Sheehan said. “The State of Tennessee will continue working with local, non-governmental, and federal partners to ensure any qualified assistance is provided as quickly as possible.”

Severe storms began moving across Tennessee on Saturday, May 27, 2017, bringing strong, straight-line winds, hail, and flooding. At the height of the severe storms in Shelby County, more than 180,000 Memphis Light, Gas, and Water customers were without power. In the storms' aftermath, city and county officials began an intense, coordinated effort to restore power, clear debris, and take care of basic human needs of residents.

As the storms moved across the state through the weekend, another 19 counties, in middle and east Tennessee, reported local power outages, downed trees and blocked roads, and damage to homes.
About the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency: TEMA’s mission is to coordinate preparedness, response and recovery from man-made, natural and technological hazards in a professional and efficient manner in concert with our stakeholders. www.tnema.org.

Bobby “Blue” Bland statue joins MLGW’s musical block

Emotions were running high. A musical legend and storyteller was finally getting his due. Family members, supporters, fans, members of the Downtown Memphis Commission and The Blues Foundation all gathered on May 12, for the statue dedication honoring the late Bobby “Blue” Bland.

The statue sits at the corner of South Main and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue on the Administrative Building’s property at MLGW.  It is just around the corner from the widely popular Elvis Presley statue which is also on MLGW’s green space overlooking Beale Street.

A lifetime Memphis-area resident, Bland is known as one of the greatest Blues singers of all time. He died in 2013 at his Germantown home. He was 83. Former Blues Foundation President & CEO Jay Sieleman lead the drive and rallied support to create and install the life-sized Bland statue. Bland is shown elegantly dressed, holding a microphone and hitting a high note in his signature style.

President and CEO of MLGW Jerry Collins Jr. didn’t hesitate when he was approached by the idea.

“The decision-making process on whether we would agree to put the statue here took about five seconds. We are going to do this,” Collins said. “Just like Memphis is famous for having the best drinking water in the world, we are also famous for having the best rock’n’roll and the best blues thanks to people like Bobby “Blue” Bland.”

Bland’s style stood the test of time. In Bland’s obituary, the New York Times reported, “His vocals, punctuated by the occasional squalling shout, were restrained, exhibiting a crooner’s delicacy of phrasing and a kind of intimate pleading. He influenced everyone from the soul singers Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett to rock groups like the Allman Brothers and The Band. The rapper Jay-Z sampled Mr. Bland’s 1974 single “Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City” on his 2001 album, “The Blueprint.”

The next time you are Downtown, check out the new statue or listen to Bland's hits online. 

MLGW completes power restoration to 188,000 customers

(June 7, 2017) — Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division, assisted by an unprecedented 101 contract overhead crews and 78 tree trimming crews, completed restoration to all 188,000 customers who lost power in the aftermath of the Saturday, May 27 windstorm.

The utility estimates the restoration efforts will cost $15.1 million. MLGW crews worked around the clock to restore power. Contract crews from East Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina and Ohio joined the restoration effort starting on May 30. Those crews have been released and are returning home. The utility will now focus on repairing street light infrastructure that was damaged, disposal of materials and filing for FEMA reimbursement.

“We appreciate the patience of our customers and are grateful for our employees and contract crews who’ve worked tirelessly for the last ten days,” said Jerry R. Collins, Jr., MLGW President and CEO
The utility is also looking at ways to lessen the impact of future storms. “We can’t control the weather. However, once smart meters are fully deployed and more automated switches are installed, MLGW will be able to respond faster when there are major service interruptions like the one we just experienced,” he said.


Automated or smart switches allow utilities to remotely control, monitor, and regulate their distribution systems.

Apply for Shelby County CSA Utility Assistance

CSA is in our Downtown Community Office this week. Please see the flyer below, or call 901-222-4315 for more info.