Staying Safe Before, During, and After the Storm
From spring thunderstorms and tornadoes to winter ice storms, Middle Tennessee can experience weather events that develop quickly and impact power service across our communities.
At CEMC, our priority is keeping our members safe and restoring power as quickly as possible when outages occur. Understanding how to prepare for severe weather can help protect your family and make the restoration process smoother for everyone.
Stay Informed Before Severe Weather Arrives
One of the most important steps you can take is staying aware of changing weather conditions. Monitor forecasts through trusted sources such as the National Weather Service, local news stations, or weather apps that provide alerts for severe weather warnings. Consider enabling emergency alerts on your phone so you receive notifications about tornado warnings, severe thunderstorms, or other hazardous conditions in your area.
If severe weather is expected, take a few minutes to prepare your home and gather basic supplies in case of outages or unexpected emergencies.
Prepare an Emergency Kit
As much as we work to keep our grid reliable and maintained, power outages are sometimes unavoidable during major storms. Having a basic emergency kit ready can make outages much easier to manage.
Your kit may include:
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- A battery-powered or hand-cranked radio
- Bottled water and nonperishable food
- Portable phone chargers or power banks (make sure they’re charged up!)
- A basic first aid kit
- Blankets or warm clothing during winter storms
Avoid using candles during outages whenever possible, as they can create fire hazards.
Important Electrical Safety Tips
Storm damage can create dangerous electrical conditions. Keep the following safety reminders in mind:
- NEVER approach or touch downed power lines. Always assume they are energized and dangerous.
- Stay at least 30 feet away from downed lines and report them immediately by calling us at (800) 987-2362 or 911.
- Avoid standing water near electrical equipment or lines.
- If you use a generator, operate it outdoors and away from windows to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
If you encounter a downed line or dangerous electrical situation, report it to CEMC right away.
How CEMC Responds During Severe Weather
When severe weather causes outages, CEMC crews are ready to respond around the clock. Our dispatch and operations teams begin monitoring storms as soon as they are forecasted, days before the event even takes place. We have 24/7 teams that keep a close eye on weather systems as they approach our service area. Once outages occur, crews are dispatched as quickly and safely as possible to assess damage and begin restoration. You can track outages and follow our progress on our Outage Map.
Restoration follows a priority system designed to restore power to the largest number of members as quickly as possible. Typically, crews work in this order:
- Critical facilities such as hospitals, emergency services, and public safety infrastructure
- Major power lines and substations that serve large areas
- Main distribution lines that deliver electricity to neighborhoods
- Individual service lines that supply power to individual homes
This process helps restore service to the greatest number of members in the shortest amount of time.
Reporting an Outage
If your power goes out, please report it so our crews can respond quickly.
Members can report outages:
- Through SmartHub
- Texting OUT to (800) 987-2362
- By calling (800) 987-2362
Now is also a great time to ensure your phone number is up to date on your account so you can take advantage of our text message reporting system. Take a moment to update your phone number and email address through SmartHub, or call us at (800) 987-2362.
Severe weather can be unpredictable, but preparation makes a difference. By staying informed, preparing your home, and following safety guidelines, you can help protect your family and your community during dangerous conditions.