How to Prepare for Power Outages in the Mid-South

Power outages in the Mid-South are an inconvenience to say the least. But in the Memphis area, it’s basically certain that you’ll experience one before the end of summer. Thunderstorms roll through the county with little warning, knocking down lines and taking out power for thousands of homes at a time. Even winter ice storms can leave neighborhoods dark for days. 

The good news is that preparation makes a huge difference. From the minor, like stocking an emergency kit, to the major, like investing in a Generac generator, there are steps every Mid-South homeowner can take right now before the next storm arrives.

Why the Mid-South Has So Many Outages

Before jumping into preparation, it helps to understand what makes the Memphis area particularly vulnerable. Memphis and the surrounding communities (Germantown, Collierville, Arlington, Millington, Atoka, Covington, and others across Shelby, Tipton, and Fayette counties) have multiple different outage risks year-round.

In the Summer 

Summer usually brings thunderstorms with high winds and lightning. Pop-up storms can knock out multiple power poles in one go, as has happened repeatedly along major corridors in south and east Memphis. The heat can also strain resources, with extreme temperatures pushing air conditioning to the limits.

A Growing Factor: EV Charging

There’s also a newer contributor to Memphis’s summer outage problem: Electric vehicles. EV adoption is accelerating fast, global sales are on pace to hit 22.7 million in 2026, nearly a quarter of all new vehicles sold worldwide, and here in the U.S., Tesla alone holds almost half the market.

That growth matters for your home’s power draw. A Level 2 home charger, the kind most EV owners install in their garage, pulls anywhere from 7.2 to 11.5 kW on a dedicated 40- to 50-amp circuit – roughly the same load as a residential stove or a heavy-duty AC unit. On its own, that’s manageable. The problem is timing.

Most people plug in their EV the moment they get home in the evening, which is exactly when Memphis summer heat and humidity already have the AC running nonstop, and exactly when households are cooking dinner and running laundry. Layer an EV charger pulling the equivalent of a 5-ton AC unit on top of that, and you’re pushing a lot of demand through the same evening window.

In the Winter 

Instead of thunderstorms, ice accumulation is the main culprit in the winter. Even just half an inch of ice can massively strain and weigh down power lines. That weight brings lines and trees down across wide areas simultaneously, overwhelming restoration crews. The 2022 ice storm that left more than 200,000 MLGW customers without power (some for nearly two weeks) could always happen again.

Year-Round Infrastructure Issues

Aging above-ground lines, equipment failures, and wildlife contact with electrical infrastructure all contribute to outage events Memphis experiences in a typical year. Couple that with falling trees, and the system can go down quickly with just one storm.

Steps to Prep for a Power Outage

Build a Power Outage Emergency Kit

Having the right supplies before an outage starts will help you and your family feel much more prepared. Once the lights go out, stores may be closed, roads may be difficult, and shelves may already be low. A solid power outage kit includes:

• Lighting
• Water 
• Food
• Communication
• First aid and medications
• Important documents and numbers

What to Do When the Power Goes Out

When the power actually goes out, have a plan! You should already have your outage kit for basic needs, but there’s a few things to run through next.

• Report Your Outage if Possible: Contact MLGW at 901-544-6500 or use the outage center at https://www.mlgw.com/templates/outage_center/. Prompt reporting helps utility crews identify affected areas more quickly and prioritize restoration efforts.
• Keep Fridge and Freezer Doors Closed: To keep food safe, keep your fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible. If you’re able to prepare in advance, something like a portable cooler may help store food for longer.
• Safety Is Your #1 Concern: Never use portable generators, gas grills, camp stoves, or any other fuel-burning devices indoors. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious and preventable danger during power outages. These devices should always be operated outdoors and positioned well away from windows, doors, and vents. 
• Conserve Battery & Prep If You Can: Lowering screen brightness, disabling features such as Bluetooth and location services, and avoiding activities like video streaming can extend battery life and help ensure you maintain access to communication when you need it most. When you’re aware of an incoming storm, keep your devices charged and a portable charger on hand.
• Check on Neighbors When Safe: If you have neighbors who are elderly or live alone, power outages can be especially challenging during periods of extreme heat or cold. A quick check-in can provide assistance and peace of mind.

Prepare for Extended Outages

Short outages still aren’t fun, but they’re usually more of an inconvenience. Extended outages (the kind that last more than a day or two) create real risks to your home and family that require more deliberate planning.

Extreme Temperatures

In a Memphis summer, indoor temperatures without air conditioning can climb fast. During extreme heat, identify cooling centers nearby (the City of Memphis OEM maintains a list during major heat events). 

In winter, know your options for staying warm, layering, sleeping bags rated for cold temperatures, or a safe alternative heating source. Extended cold snaps can also freeze pipes in unheated homes. Keep a faucet dripping slightly during prolonged outages in freezing temperatures to reduce pressure buildup. Know where your main water shutoff valve is in case a pipe bursts.

Flooding & Heavy Rain

If your home has a basement sump pump, a power outage during heavy rain is a worst-case scenario for flooding. This is one of the most compelling reasons Mid-South homeowners with basements invest in standby backup power.

Medical Devices

If anyone in your household depends on a CPAP machine, oxygen concentrator, or other powered medical device, have a backup plan ready, whether that’s a battery backup unit, a generator, or an alternate location with power.

The Long-Term Solution is a Whole Home Generator

Especially in the midst of an outage, everything above helps, but it also shares the same limitation. Most of these things manage the inconvenience of being without power, they don’t do anything to eliminate it. That’s exactly what a standby generator does!

A Generac home standby generator connects to your home’s natural gas or LP fuel line and monitors your power supply automatically, 24 hours a day. When an outage is detected, it responds within seconds, restoring power to your whole home whether you’re there or not. Your air conditioning keeps running, your refrigerator and freezer stay cold, your lights stay on, and you probably won’t notice more than a flicker. For homeowners who have dealt with extended outages, a whole-home generator is the most complete answer. Prevention over preparation can help you avoid future blackouts. 

Generac is the #1 selling home standby generator brand in the world, and their systems are specifically designed for the kind of whole-home, automatic protection that makes a difference in areas like Memphis.

Stop Managing Outages and Start Preventing Them

Need a local Generac dealer? Upchurch Builders is a certified Generac dealer and technician serving Memphis, Germantown, Collierville, Arlington, Millington, Atoka, Brighton, Covington, Munford, Rossville, Piperton, and surrounding Mid-South communities. We handle generator sales, professional installation, and ongoing service and maintenance, everything you need from one company! 

Call Upchurch Builders at 901-870-3829 or request a free estimate online to find out which Generac generator is right for your home.