Severe overnight surge leaves 59,000 without power across 4 utilities

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Thousands of residents across Middle Tennessee started their Sunday without electricity as weather-related power outages spread rapidly overnight. Outage maps from multiple electric service providers showed a sharp increase in customers affected between early morning hours, prompting large-scale restoration efforts and extended work shifts for utility crews.

By daybreak, the situation had intensified, with tens of thousands of homes and businesses left in the dark across the region. Electric companies attributed the disruptions to weather conditions and said crews were deployed across service areas to assess damage and restore power as safely and efficiently as possible.

Nashville Electric Service sees the largest impact

Nashville Electric Service reported the most significant number of outages. At approximately 4:30 a.m. Sunday, the utility showed just under 6,000 customers without power. Within a little more than an hour, that figure surged dramatically to more than 59,000 customers.

The sudden spike followed a comparatively calm Saturday evening, when fewer than 50 outages were reported across the system. The overnight change underscored how quickly weather conditions can strain electrical infrastructure, particularly during winter events that bring ice or freezing precipitation.

NES indicated that outages reflected on its map were weather-related and said crews were actively assessing conditions across affected neighborhoods. Restoration work began immediately, with safety remaining a top priority as teams navigated icy roads and challenging conditions.

 Crews work extended shifts amid ongoing conditions

Since Friday, NES crews have been operating in continuous rotations, a strategy designed to maintain around-the-clock coverage while managing fatigue. Those crews are expected to remain on extended shifts ranging from 14 to 16 hours throughout the weekend as long as outages persist.

To support the response, the utility positioned dozens of bucket trucks and mobilized hundreds of line workers across the region. Supplies such as ice melt were staged in advance to help crews access equipment and infrastructure in slippery conditions, helping speed up restoration while reducing risks on the job.

Utility officials emphasized that power restoration would continue until every affected customer is back online, even if weather conditions remain difficult.

 Other utilities report scattered outages

While NES accounted for the majority of outages, several other electric providers across Middle Tennessee also reported customers without service early Sunday.

Tri-County Electric recorded nearly 2,800 customers without power, making it the second-largest impact area after NES. Clarksville-based CPWS followed with more than 400 customers affected. Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation reported just over 250 outages, while Middle Tennessee Electric showed fewer than 100 customers without service.

Though smaller in scale, these outages contributed to the broader regional strain on electrical systems and highlighted how widespread the weather’s effects were across multiple service territories.

 How customers can stay informed

Utilities encouraged customers to stay updated through official outage maps and automated alert systems. NES advised customers to check its online outage map for the latest restoration estimates and to use text alerts linked to their accounts for real-time updates. Phone support was also available for those seeking additional information.

Officials reminded residents to avoid downed power lines and to treat all fallen lines as energized. Customers experiencing outages were urged to report them promptly to help crews identify problem areas more quickly.

 Restoration continues as conditions evolve

As Sunday progressed, restoration efforts remained ongoing, with crews spread across the region responding to outages as conditions allowed. Utilities noted that restoration times could vary depending on the extent of damage and accessibility of affected areas.

While power providers prepared for continued challenges, they expressed confidence in their staffing levels and resources, stressing that crews would remain in the field until service was fully restored across Middle Tennessee.

Source: WZTV Digital Team