What recent storms showed
In late January 2026, an ice storm left about 230,000 Nashville Electric Service customers without power at its peak, and nearly a week later tens of thousands were still waiting for restoration. The March 3, 2020 tornado left about 62,000 NES customers without power at its peak, and the December 9, 2023 tornado outbreak knocked out power for tens of thousands more, with Madison, Goodlettsville and Hendersonville among the hardest-hit areas.
The lesson is not to panic; it is to plan. Outages here can last days, not hours.
Build a simple kit
Flashlights and lanterns, extra batteries, a weather radio, a phone charging bank, water, shelf-stable food, a first-aid kit, medications, blankets, a manual can opener and cash. Our Storm Checklist tool lets you tick items off and print a copy.
Know how to report and track an outage
Your utility has an outage map and reporting options. For example, NES lets customers report outages by text, online account, phone or its outage map. Save your own utility's details on your phone before you need them.
Generator safety
Run portable generators outdoors only, far from doors, windows and vents. Carbon monoxide is odorless and can kill. Use battery-powered CO alarms. Never back-feed your home through an outlet.
Plan your backup power
Decide what must stay on and for how long, then pick the right tool: standby generator, battery system or a hybrid. A plan made before storm season beats a purchase made during one.
Installers get booked solid after major storms. The best time to plan backup power is before the next one.
