A major winter storm threatening West Tennessee has Carroll County Electric Department (CCED) on alert. Many weather sources urge the public to prepare for potential power outages.
Critical Safety Messages
CCED General Manager Ryan Drewry emphasized two main points for residents to consider.
First, generator users must flip their main breaker before operating generators.
“Please be mindful of backfeed and make sure to open your mains if you don’t have a transfer switch for the safety of our guys working on the lines,” Drewry said.
This prevents electricity from flowing backward into power lines, creating a serious hazard for line workers.
Second, patience will be essential if outages occur.
“If it is a widespread event and there’s ice on the ground, there’s more difficulties for our equipment and personnel to assess and repair the damage,” he said. “The number one thing is keeping the safety of our folks in mind, because without them, we cannot do what we need to do.”
Preparations Underway
Drewry said CCED has positioned all trucks and equipment, placed staff on standby, and added personnel for in-house communications in case after-hours dispatch becomes overwhelmed.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning and an Ice Storm Warning for portions of West Tennessee, and Governor Bill Lee declared a state of emergency for all 95 counties on Thursday.
Ice or Sleet?
Carroll County remains in what meteorologists call a “cone of uncertainty” regarding whether the area will receive sleet or the more damaging freezing rain.
“We’re hoping for the sleet band,” Drewry said. “If it bounces, we’re in good shape. If it sticks, that’s another problem.”
The storm is expected to begin impacting the area late Friday evening and continue through Sunday.
