NES Doubles Lineworkers on Standby for Anticipated Weekend Storm

Utility prepares for possible power outages and damage to the grid as Nashville recovers from January's crippling ice storm.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:48am

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Nashville Electric Service (NES) has doubled the number of lineworkers on standby to 410 ahead of an anticipated weekend storm that could bring winds up to 75 mph. This comes as the city is still recovering from a devastating ice storm in late January that knocked out power for two weeks. NES is also increasing staffing in its command and customer service centers, with backup teams ready to respond to any damage.

Why it matters

The upcoming storm poses a significant threat to the power grid in Nashville, which is still dealing with the aftermath of the previous ice storm. NES is taking proactive measures to ensure a faster and more effective response to minimize potential outages and damage.

The details

NES has 410 lineworkers on standby, up from around 200 before the January ice storm. The utility also has 39 meter and field service technicians ready for damage assessments, along with increased staffing in its command and customer service centers. This is in preparation for possible winds of up to 75 mph that could cause power outages and damage to power lines. The city is still recovering from the last storm, with the Nashville Department of Transportation having collected more than 1.1 million cubic yards of storm vegetation, over 12 times the amount collected in all of 2025.

  • The storm is expected to hit on Sunday evening and continue into Monday.
  • The January ice storm knocked out power for two weeks in Nashville.

The players

Nashville Electric Service (NES)

The public electric utility that provides power to the Nashville metropolitan area.

Teresa Broyles-Aplin

The CEO of Nashville Electric Service.

Nashville Department of Transportation (NDOT)

The department responsible for clearing storm debris and branches in Nashville.

Brendan Scully

A spokesperson for the Nashville Department of Transportation.

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What they’re saying

“We currently don't have processes in place to be able to provide an estimated restoration time to individual customers. That's something we want to provide.”

— Teresa Broyles-Aplin, CEO, Nashville Electric Service

What’s next

NES says it plans to launch a new app in the near future that will allow customers to report storm damage, which could help the utility provide more accurate restoration timelines.

The takeaway

NES is taking significant steps to prepare for the upcoming storm and improve its response capabilities, drawing on lessons learned from the devastating January ice storm. The utility's proactive measures aim to minimize potential power outages and ensure a faster recovery for the Nashville community.