Nashville Faces Multi‑Day Power Outages After Historic Ice Storm
Even days after the historic ice storm, Nashville battles extended outages and challenging recovery efforts that are testing residents and city services.
Nashville Ice Storm
Wendy S. Huffman | WBN News Nashville | January 30, 2026
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Nashville’s unprecedented Winter Storm Fern continues to leave parts of the city without electricity as utility crews make slow but steady progress restoring power after record‑breaking freezing rain and ice. Officials are now projecting several more days without full power in many neighborhoods, with some smaller pockets facing still longer waits.
In the days following the storm’s peak, Nashville Electric Service (NES) has reduced the number of customers without power from a mid‑week high of more than 230,000 to roughly 99,000 still in the dark by Wednesday night — even as crews expand restoration work across the metro area.
‘We are nonstop’: NES seeks to restore more than 100K outages
NES reported they have 900 linemen on the ground and 220 people tending to vegetation.
Jordan James
Local leaders and utility officials describe the storm’s impact as “historic” and warn that restoration will not be quick due to the extensive tree and line damage, subfreezing conditions that slow repairs, and the sheer scale of outages across Davidson and surrounding counties.
Mayor Freddie O’Connell and NES executives have said that priority is being given to critical infrastructure and large clusters of customers first, followed by smaller residential pockets as crews are able to safely reach damaged lines. However, extended outages are testing patience and resilience among residents who have now gone multiple nights without heat or electricity.
Utility leaders have also addressed misinformation around the restoration effort, clarifying that safety, access, and logistics — not race or income — guide prioritization decisions. Accurate restoration mapping and outreach are underway to help residents understand timelines.
Officials continue to advise residents to report outages through NES online tools, avoid downed power lines, and seek warming center resources as needed — underscoring the ongoing challenge of bringing full power back across the region.
Tags:
#Nashville Ice Storm, #Winter Power Outages, #Nashville Electric Service, #Recovery Efforts, #Long Term Outages, #City Response, #Infrastructure Damage
Wendy Huffman is the Editor of WBN News Nashville and Africa Editions, where she brings the fun back to journalism—covering everything from local buzz and bold business insights to the stories that move hearts and minds. Her leadership of the Africa Edition stems from her deep commitment to the continent through LetsMakeTheDifference.org, the international nonprofit she founded to empower and uplift underserved communities.
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Sources:
• Tennessee Emergency Management Agency Winter Weather Update
• “99,000 Customers Still Without Power,” FOX 17/WZTV
• “Frustration Builds as Ice Storm Response Drags On,” Axios
• “City Anticipates Several More Days Without Full Power,” Nashville Scene
• Nashville Chamber Resource Guide for Storm Impacts
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