MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Mid-South power outages affected thousands of customers Sunday evening after strong winds moved through the region ahead of a cold front, downing tree limbs and damaging power lines, according to multiple utility providers.
Memphis Light, Gas and Water reported that more than six thousand customers were without power as of late Sunday, while additional outages were confirmed in parts of Arkansas and Mississippi.
Authorities warned that gusty conditions could continue into early Monday, creating hazardous travel conditions and the potential for further disruptions.
The outages followed a line of strong winds that swept across the Mid-South on Sunday afternoon and evening. The National Weather Service issued a Moderate Wind Advisory for several counties, citing the risk of falling debris and sporadic power interruptions.
MLGW officials said crews were dispatched across Memphis and Shelby County to assess damage and begin restoration efforts.
Entergy also reported outages affecting hundreds of customers in Arkansas and Mississippi, while Northcentral Electric Cooperative confirmed service disruptions in northern Mississippi.
“These winds arrived quickly and impacted multiple service areas at once,” said MLGW spokesperson Karen Thompson. “Our teams are working through the night to safely restore power where conditions allow.”
Meteorologists said the outages were consistent with seasonal weather patterns typical of late December, when cold fronts frequently bring strong, sustained winds.
“When you combine dry soil, leafless trees and sudden gusts, it increases the likelihood of limbs falling onto lines,” said Dr. Michael Reeves, a weather and climate researcher based in Tennessee. “That is often a key driver of Mid-South power outages during winter systems.”
Utility experts noted that wind related outages tend to be more scattered than those caused by ice or severe storms, which can complicate restoration timelines.
As of ten thirty pm Sunday, MLGW reported six thousand one hundred eighty two customers without power. Entergy’s outage map showed nine hundred nineteen customers affected across Arkansas and Mississippi at the same time.
By comparison, a similar wind event in December last year left fewer than four thousand customers without electricity across the Memphis metro area, according to utility data.
Residents across the region described sudden power losses and difficult travel conditions. “The lights flickered for a few minutes before everything went dark,” said Memphis resident James Holloway. “You could hear the wind pushing through the trees.”
In Oxford, Mississippi, local police urged drivers to use caution. “High profile vehicles are especially vulnerable in these conditions,” the department said in a statement.
Forecasters said winds were expected to gradually ease by early Monday morning as the cold front moves east. Utility officials cautioned that restoration times may vary depending on damage assessments and weather conditions.
“We expect to make steady progress overnight,” Thompson said. “Safety remains our top priority.” The latest round of Mid-South power outages underscores the region’s vulnerability to strong winter winds.
While crews continue restoration efforts, officials urged patience as conditions improve and damage is addressed across affected communities.
