NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — On Saturday morning, TVA announced they would continue rolling blackouts. NES said customers could lose power for 10 minutes every 90 minutes to two hours. At 10:49 a.m., NES tweeted that the blackouts had stopped and the power grid had stabilized.
#NESOutageAlert
— Nashville Electric Service (@NESpower) December 24, 2022
HAPPENING NOW: While it could be reinstated later, the power grid is currently stable, and TVA has canceled all mandatory and voluntary conservation efforts. NES crews continue to make repairs to the remaining 6,000+ customer outages.
#NESOutageAlert TVA has shifted from 10% mandatory power conservation to 5%. For Middle Tennessee and the surrounding counties, this means 10-minute outages every 1.5-2 hours. We'll keep you posted on further developments.
— Nashville Electric Service (@NESpower) December 24, 2022
In addition, Mayor Cooper called for the Titans to postpone their noon kickoff against Houston.
I’ve been informed that TVA’s unilateral rolling blackouts will continue. All non-essential businesses should reduce power usage. I’ve asked the @Titans to postpone their 12pm game in solidarity with our neighbors.
— Mayor John Cooper (@JohnCooper4Nash) December 24, 2022
TVA needs to invest in infrastructure to withstand extreme temps https://t.co/J0XFq8euGB
—
In an update mid-Friday afternoon, thousands of Nashville homes were still without power, according to Nashville Electric Service officials.
Those in the Cane Ridge had one of the largest outages, with thousands of homes without power due to an equipment failure. Power should be restored around 4:30 p.m. in that area, said Jack Baxter, with NES Operations.
"This is scattered system-wide and it's a lot of small outages, too," Baxter said. "We have crews working the smallest outages simultaneously to work both ends. We have people working with smaller outages along with bigger ones. The largest will be restored first. Ice damage is the worst for our systems. It makes it hazardous for our employees. To look on the bright side, at least we didn't have a lot of ice with this."
Nashville Electric Service officials said around 9:45 they instituted rolling blackouts. That was put in place by the TVA.
— NewsChannel 5 (@NC5) December 23, 2022
"Whenever we get to that point, that's when demand is above generating capacity. It's imperative we do that to protect the bulk electric system."
Baxter went on to explain the rolling blackouts in the city that last two hours. He said the decision was split-second and had to be made to prevent widespread failures across the Tennessee Valley Authority, which is where Nashville gets its electricity. He said there wasn't a way to inform customers before because of the timing nature of the decision and TVA's notification it needed to happen.
"It worked as it should have today," Baxter said. "It's not something we want to do and it's necessary. TVA has rolled that step back. At this point, there's no indication they will need that again."
TVA has voluntary guidance for customers to refrain from using big power items and turning down thermostats a couple of degrees to help conserve energy.
Kyle Cooley woke up without power and before noon he joined about 30,000 NES customers in the dark.
"You're kidding me. There's 30? I thought it was just this block or something" said Cooley. "30,000 people. Holy crap. "
The number of people without power jumped up even more by Thursday afternoon.
Cooley says he got up to crank his thermostat and quickly learned he was without power.
He had to wait on a friend to drive from Murfreesboro to help.
"She lives in Murfreesboro and so she was coming to get me, and the roads are bad, so it took an hour for her to get here from once I contacted her, and I mean that was at nine o'clock. So, it took her a little over hour to get here. I just wrapped up in the blankets and like did it like a teepee with my knees and just let my airflow be the warmth under the covers in the middle of my bed."
They are on their way to Mississippi where it's a little bit warmer.
"It’s dangerously cold like it really is dangerously cold. Like this is scary," said Cooley.
Baxter with NES said there will still be customers without power by the end of Friday night.
View all active school closings and delays here
Current Conditions
- Humidity: 93%
- Dew point: 65°
- Pressure: 29.97 in
- Wind speed: 4 mph
- Wind direction: SSW
- Visibility: 9.0 mi
- Sunrise: 05:50 AM
- Sunset: 07:37 PM
Prepare your vehicle before hitting the road
Driving during icy and snowy conditions is dangerous, but if you have to get out on the roads, be sure to prepare your vehicle first!
Car emergency kit necessities:
Tips for driving safely in the snow:
Don't forget the four Ps!
The National Weather Service urges everyone during dangerously cold weather to remember the four Ps: People, pets, plants and pipes!
Be sure to check on vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and children. Make sure outdoor pets have a warm shelter or bring them inside. Bring your plants inside or cover the ones that must remain outside. Lastly, cover any outdoor exposed pipes and drip your indoor faucets.
Is your home prepared for the cold weather?
It's important to prepare your home before cold weather moves in!
Read more: Experts recommend how to prepare your home for winter weather
Winter weather preparedness checklist:
