Area residents linked by a state of emergency – declared in response to an ice-ladened storm – were still scrambling to adjust to challenges on multiple levels on Friday.
For many, the issue was power, mainly the lack of it and uncertainty about when it would be restored.
Acknowledging the angst Friday morning, Memphis Light, Gas & Water (MLGW) via social media message reported that “It may take days. Please know, we are working as quickly and safely as possible to restore power to your homes and ours. Debris must be cleared before crews can restore power.”
The city-operated warming center at the Hickory Hill Community Center, 3910 Ridgeway Road has been opened until further notice. Those with the option of turning to family and friends were prompted to consider that option.
As of 2:40 p.m. on Friday, 126,504 MLGW customers still were coping with 3619 total outages reported.
While a few sleet/snow showers were ongoing in the early hours of Friday morning in portions of the MidSouth, they mostly dissipated as projected with no additional accumulation expected. Sub-freezing temperatures on Friday, however, were locking in the ice, with warmer temperatures projected for the weekend by the National Weather Service for Memphis.
The forecast calls for temperatures to reach the low to mid-30s on Saturday, and the 40s on Sunday. Overnight lows were projected to remain in the teens and 20s. No precipitation was expected for the next several days, with the area projected to likely stay dry through next weekend.
For local residents, the weather evolved from the natural beauty of snow-covered lawns and trees visible from windows on Thursday morning to the troubling concerns about power. In Cordova, for instance, a family lit the fireplace and huddled for warmth.
“I guess my biggest concern is my four-year-old,” said Jennifer Evans. “He is very curious, like most four-year-olds. I’ve been sitting here all day watching him because he’s fascinated with the fire. It’s his first time seeing our fireplace being used.
“We’ll probably all sleep in the den to stay warm. I called a couple of hotels downtown. They had rooms, but our streets are slippery, and there are trees and live wires on the road, especially around Dexter Avenue.”
At its peak, more than 133,000 MLGW customers were without power. Schools, both private and public, closed Thursday and Friday. Mayor Jim Strickland declared a state of emergency because of the massive power outage and dangerous road conditions. MLGW crews took on 16-hour shifts to resolve outages, with contractors from the Tennessee Department of Transportation teaming up to help.
Hundreds of families crowded into downtown hotels that soon reported sold-out status. Carl Washington, front office manager of the Residence Inn Downtown, said the hotel sold out early on Thursday afternoon.
“We don’t have any more rooms available, and I don’t know of any property down here that does,” said Washington. “The front desk clerk told me the closest hotel rooms available now are in Millington. That outage really affected a lot of people. It’s almost midnight, and people are still out driving around looking for rooms.”
Priscilla Maclin and her husband, Gerald Maclin, said their power was out all morning Thursday. Their child is ill and was scheduled for surgery Friday morning.
“We didn’t wait until the evening for the house to get cold,” said Priscilla Maclin. “We checked into a room downtown, and we were blessed to get it. Some of the hotels were already sold out by four in the afternoon. I didn’t want my daughter to be cold. We have to be at LeBonheur early Friday morning. I wanted her to be as comfortable as possible.”
Downtown garages were filled, and vehicles lined the streets, parking where there were no parking spaces. Many restaurants and fast-food establishments closed early in the afternoon or did not open at all.
“I live in Cordova, and our power went off about 10, right before I left for work,” said Gloria Branson.
“I’m a manager at a Walgreen’s in Hickory Hill. We decided to close the store early because not a lot of people were getting out, and the roads were getting worse. When I got back home, the power was still not back on. And between Cordova and downtown, I tried to find my children something to eat. McDonald’s was closed, several of them, and other places, too. We ended up stopping at a gas station near our hotel downtown for some chips and soda.”
Some had more to contend with than power outages. A blown transformer caused a large fire in the Cooper-Young community. Road conditions coupled with traffic lights that were not working caused chaotic driving conditions in some areas.
Ladened with ice, falling trees and tree branches threatened homes and vehicles in various sections of Greater Memphis.
However, no injuries were reported.
Important MLGW contact information for customers:
- Electric Outage Reporting: 544-6500.
- Emergencies: 528-4465 (for electrical lines down, gas leaks, broken water mains inside a building)
- Customer Care Center: 544-6549
- Online Outage Center: mlgw.com/home/outagecenter
City of Memphis warming center
Anyone who needs transportation to the center, located at the Hickory Hill Center, 3910 Ridgeway Road, should call the Office of Emergency Management at 297-1680.
(This story reflects reporting by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell.)
