Restoration Update 5pm

• There are currently a little over 11,000 customers without power. We've restored power to about 60,000 customers.

• Restoration numbers have progressed slowly today, mainly because the type of work MLGW crews are doing requires these areas to stay de-energized to make it safe for our employees to work. Restoration numbers should improve this afternoon and evening. We have more than 100 crews currently in the field whose primary focus is the heavily damaged areas in the south part of the I-240 loop, including the Orange Mound and Colonial Acres areas.

• Customers still without power are asked to leave their back gates accessible for MLGW employees if their electric lines are in the back yard. MLGW crews have experience some difficulties today gaining access to some areas where gates are locked.

• For some customers, it could be Friday before final restoration is completed.

• Customers who are still without power need to call the MLGW Outage Hotline at 544-6500 to make sure their outage is logged in the system. Some customers may notice when calling that the MLGW outage system indicates their outage is being reported for the first time. This indicates that a problem further up the electric system has been fixed, but a new problem has been detected.

• To report an emergency such as downed wires or gas leaks, please call 528-4465. This number should be treated like 911 and only used for these types of emergencies.

• MLGW urges customers to be aware of their surroundings as they sift through debris. Customers should avoid contact with downed power lines-even if their home or area has experienced a loss of power the lines could still be energized.

• Customers using generators are reminded that they should only be operated in a well-ventilated and dry area, away from air intakes to the home.

• Next update will take place at 8:30 pm tonight