Rising to the challenge

MTE team demonstrates readiness and resilience versus Winter Storm Fern.

“We are prepared.” It took only three words for MTE President and CEO Chris Jones to assure members via a social media video posted on Friday, Jan. 23, that the co-op was all-hands-on-deck ready should power outages result from a winter storm headed for Tennessee. In the days that followed, proof of that statement was demonstrated repeatedly as 
MTE teams overcame historic challenges to quickly and efficiently restore power in hard-hit areas of the co-op’s service 
territory. Here’s a look back at what happened.

Storm stats 

• 2,727 record single-day call volume received by MTE Contact Center (Jan. 25). 
• 103 broken poles.
• 39,101 feet of wire replaced. 
• 194 damaged transformers replaced. 
• LARGEST restoration effort in MTE history.

Restoration Timeline

Saturday, Jan. 24

9 a.m Winter Storm Fern blows into Middle Tennessee, bringing a combination of snow, sleet, freezing rain 
and prolonged extreme cold. Conditions worsen as ice accumulates on surfaces throughout the day and overnight hours. 

Sunday, Jan. 25 

4:34 a.m. The first storm-related outage report comes from western Williamson County as ice-laden trees and branches start snapping and falling, MTE crews responding to Winter Storm Fern on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

5 a.m. Co-op lineworkers already positioned in critical areas begin responding to repair calls. 

6:30 a.m. MTE’s Member Services team reports for “storm duty.” They answer a record volume of phone calls from members. 

Noon Outage reports climb throughout the morning, peaking at 23,479. The majority are concentrated in western Williamson and northwestern Wilson counties.

7 p.m. During a video address to members, CEO Jones says the magnitude and scope of the damage to MTE’s 
electric grid is among the worst in the co-op’s 90-year history.

8 p.m. As crews push on through the night, power restoration progress is slower-than-normal due to severe weather, ice buildup, dropping temperatures, treacherous roads and damaged TVA transmission lines. 

10 p.m. Fresh, rested crews relieve those on the job since 5 a.m. to continue around-the-clock work. 

11:55 p.m. The MTE team has restored power to some 14,500 homes and businesses since 5 a.m. 

Monday, Jan. 26 

6 a.m. A new day brings new challenges. Though the precipitation has passed, heavy ice continues to weigh down limbs and power lines. MTE line crews are repeatedly frustrated when repairs last only minutes before another tree falls and re-damages the same area. 

10 a.m. Of 770 total damage incidents, 670 are single outages affecting just one meter, MTE’s Systems Control team reports. Crews must make 670 separate trips to make repairs.

Noon More than 500 lineworker reinforcements begin arriving from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. Many are from co-op systems where MTE lineworkers have previously assisted with post-storm restoration efforts. This relief, known as mutual aid, is a hallmark of the electric cooperative system nationwide. 

6 p.m. As the sun sets, more than 70 crews continue to work, using flashlights and spot beams to illuminate remote worksites. Tonight’s concern: The day’s melting ice will refreeze overnight and potentially cause new outages as it takes down additional limbs, trees and lines. 

10 p.m. Outage numbers continue to drop along with wind chill. Crews battle the icy elements, bringing the total number of accounts without power to 3,445. 

Tuesday, Jan. 27 

7 a.m. As Middle Tennesseans awake to a brighter forecast, outages hover around 3,000. Most of the remaining outages are at single homes where the weight of ice has snapped the line running from the home to the street.

10 a.m. Aided by visiting crews, MTE has 607 lineworkers — more than for any mass outage event in the co-op’s history — working in rotation to continue progress toward full power restoration. 

2 p.m. MTE has 32 damage assessment teams working ahead of 60+ crews to speed repairs. 

5 p.m. Most outages affecting larger groups are resolved, leaving smaller groups and individual accounts still needing restoration. Remaining work focuses on the Fairview area.

10 p.m. For the first time since Sunday morning, fewer than 1,000 member accounts are without power. 

Wednesday, Jan. 28 

6 a.m. Crews begin chipping away at the remaining 785 outages concentrated in western Williamson County, where icy terrain and fallen vegetation have hindered teams.

2:15 p.m. As restoration efforts wind, the official count of broken poles stands at 103 and damaged transformers at 194. Most are in Williamson County.

6 p.m. “This incredible work has been hard-earned by our dedicated lineworkers, support crews and the entire team behind the scenes at Middle Tennessee Electric,” says CEO Jones while announcing that the only remaining repairs involve members awaiting electrician repairs to equipment on their property, which will allow MTE to reconnect their power.