Power still out to 50K customers, days after Memphis storm

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — More than 50,000 homes and businesses were without power Monday in Memphis, Tennessee, four days after a winter storm led to ice accumulations that downed power lines and damaged electrical circuits.

The city’s power company, Memphis, Light, Gas & Water, hopes to have electricity restored to those who lost power during the storm by the end of this week, company CEO J.T. Young said during an online news conference Monday.

During the Feb. 3 winter storm and its aftermath, 272,000 customers were left without power at some point, MLG&W officials said. Freezing rain and sleet led to ice accumulation on streets and trees, which sagged and dropped limbs on power lines. Entire trees also came down, also causing damage to power poles and electric lines and blocking streets. Crews have worked 16-hour shifts to restore power.

Meanwhile, Memphis-Shelby County Schools canceled classes Monday because of power outages, problems with heating systems and downed trees, the school system said. Memphis-Shelby County Schools is the largest school district in Tennessee, with about 100,000 students. Most schools were scheduled to open on Tuesday, school officials said.

City crews have removed more than 400 fallen trees from streets, Memphis officials said.