Paris, Tenn.–Paris Board of Public Utilities CEO Terry Wimberley has provided an update on power restoration efforts in Henry County, reporting 1,400 customers are still without power in 123 separate locations. At its height, a total 17,000 customers were without power during Friday’s severe wind storm.
“This morning we enter our fourth day of power restoration from the windstorm last Friday,” Wimberley said. “We start the day with 1,400 customers without power in 123 separate locations. Think of it this way…we must make 123 stops to get everyone back on and most require significant work once we arrive.”
The challenge remains a significant one, Wimberley said. “Paris BPU employees (from ALL departments) will be joined today by crews from Covington, Murray, Bolivar, Lexington, Brownsville, and Weakley County. 8-9 extra crews (we have NEVER brought in this much help in our history) have worked with us for the last three days. We are extremely grateful for the help from our neighbors. We will work another 16-hour day today serving this community.”
Wimberley said, “As larger outages are restored, smaller or individual outages within that same area will likely exist. Your initial report will assume you are part of the larger outage. We have no way of knowing of your individual problem unless you have specifically reported damage to your service or one of our employees have made a note. If you think your area has been restored, please call today to report that you are still out. This will ensure that we have a proper record of your specific outage. Crews will be moving to dozens of scattered locations today. We will not attempt to define specific areas here. We will provide another update today at 1:30 p.m.”
He said, “We are proud to serve each of you. We will do that today in the most safe and efficient manner that we know how.”
Photo from Terry Wimberley.