In one small Antioch neighborhood, a massive fallen tree is still sprawled across most of a residential street, and families say they have been living without heat for nearly six days after last week’s ice storm. Most households have headed to hotels since Monday, swinging back by during the day to check pipes and chip away at the ice, while neighbors keep an eye on one another’s homes. “Every day that passes, it gets to be a bigger problem,” one resident said, as others pointed to mounting hotel bills and juggling work, kids, and damaged houses.
Antioch Block Becomes A Snapshot Of Slow Recovery
As of Friday night, Nashville Electric Service reported roughly 60,000 customers still without power across Davidson County and nearby areas, leaving dozens of small pockets like this Antioch block in the dark. Neighbors told local crews that cleanup has lagged, where downed trees and heavy limbs still clog streets, slowing utility trucks and forcing families to shuttle between temporary hotel rooms and homes they are trying to keep from freezing up. The neighborhood scene and residents’ accounts were documented by NewsChannel 5.
Where Restoration Stands
Nashville Electric Service says damage from Winter Storm Fern is among the worst the utility has ever seen, and that some customers should be prepared for extended outages. Its storm guidance notes that more than 500 poles are broken, crews are working 14– to 16‑hour shifts, and over 1,000 lineworkers are now in the field. Even with that manpower, NES is warning that some customers could be without power for “up to one to two weeks.” Those operational details and safety notes are laid out by Nashville Electric Service.
Why Repairs Are Taking So Long
Restoration work in neighborhoods like Antioch is slow and meticulous. Crews have to safely replace broken poles, clear trees from lines, and wait until roads are passable so heavy equipment can reach damaged circuits. Local reporting lists Antioch and Cane Ridge among neighborhoods with some of the largest remaining outages, while national coverage shows Winter Storm Fern knocked out power for hundreds of thousands of customers across several states. That local picture is outlined by WSMV, with a broader context from AP News.
How To Report Outages And Find Help
NES is urging customers to report outages through its online outage map, by calling 615‑234‑0000, or by texting OUT to 637797 from the phone number listed on the account. The utility is also sharing locations of warming shelters and transportation help for residents who need a safe place to stay. Officials warn people to steer clear of any downed power lines and note that homes with damaged meter bases or weatherheads might need homeowner-side repairs before service can be safely reconnected. Reporting steps and shelter information are available from Nashville Electric Service.
What City Leaders Are Doing
City officials have pointed to steady progress but are also hearing frustration from residents living out of suitcases and watching their hotel receipts climb. Mayor Freddie O’Connell has said the city needs clearer, more neighborhood-level updates from the utility, and the city is working with partners like United Way and the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to set up a recovery fund and other support for affected families, according to Axios.
