A Message to Oak Hill Residents: Power Restoration Update Following the Winter Storm
From Mayor Dale Grimes
Dear Oak Hill Neighbors and Friends,
Over the past several days, our community has endured a historic winter storm that brought heavy snow, freezing rain, and dangerous ice. I know many of you have faced prolonged power outages, fallen trees, blocked roads, damaged property, and the stress that comes with cold temperatures and uncertainty.
I want to begin by saying this plainly: we understand how difficult this has been, and we are working closely with Nashville Electric Service (NES) to ensure Oak Hill residents receive accurate information and timely updates as restoration continues. Please know that we are thinking about every household still waiting for power—especially those with medical needs, families with children, and seniors who are particularly vulnerable in these conditions.
Below is the most current information available from NES (as of Sunday evening, February1, 2026), including the NES leadership Sunday night webcast briefing, the latest systemwide status report, and the new ZIP code completion range chart now being published by NES.
1) Restoration Progress: Where We Stand
NES crews are continuing restoration operations in rotations, and workers remain on extended 14- to 16-hour shifts to respond as quickly and safely as possible.
NES reports that line workers have restored power to 172,400 customers following this storm.
Current systemwide conditions (NES service area)
As of the Sunday night report:
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29,575 customers remained without power
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NES estimated that 87% of all customers who had outages had been restored
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The storm caused 604 broken poles
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NES has repaired 234 broken poles so far
Broken poles are among the most time-consuming repairs and often require multiple crews and specialized equipment—this is one of the reasons restoration has taken longer in certain areas.
NES emphasized that their outage map is based on real-time information and is generally 98–99% accurate. However, it can be tricky to interpret, especially when outage areas overlap. Trying to read it on a cellphone is particularly challenging.
2) Oak Hill Area Snapshot
Oak Hill outage clusters (Sunday night reading of outage map)
Based on the outage map review, it appeared that most large outage areas in Oak Hill had been cleared, with remaining larger concentrations including:
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Oak Valley subdivision: approximately 127 outages (this may be cleared by now)
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Sewanee Road / Gateway / Stonewall area: approximately 96 outages
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Granny White Pike / ends of Granny White area: approximately 151 outages
(Most of these appeared to be west of Granny White.) -
Hillview/Lakemont area: approximately 86 outages
The other remaining outages within the city appeared to consist of single digits or low double digits, based on outage map interpretation. That is truly cold comfort if you are in any of these areas.
3) Who Is Working on Restoration
From the NES Sunday evening webcast briefing, we learned there were nearly 2,000 workers in the field, most of them outside contractors who must be trained and qualified on our local system. This workforce includes:
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Line workers (including crews from Florida, Maryland, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Mississippi, and Tennessee)
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Vegetation crews
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Assessment teams
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Support personnel including NDOT and the National Guard
NES also reported there were over 1200-line workers in the field, and they were adding 500 more contract line workers arriving from outside the area Sunday night and Monday morning.
4) Where Crews Have Been Concentrated
NES reported that many crews working Sunday were concentrated in:
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West Meade
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West Nashville
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Forest Hills
NES stated that Forest Hills remains the hardest-hit area still awaiting restoration but also emphasized that they are working in every ZIP code and area of town simultaneously, as system conditions allow.
5) How NES Is Prioritizing Restoration
NES continues to prioritize restoration by restoring:
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The largest outage areas first
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Then moving to progressively smaller outages
However, NES also explained that when smaller outages are located near a larger outage area—and it is more efficient—they may restore those smaller pockets early to maximize overall restoration speed.
6) ZIP Code Restoration Completion Dates (Important Clarification + New Chart)
Starting Saturday afternoon, NES has been publishing daily projected completion dates by ZIP code, and they have stated they are working to provide more granular information, but that level of detail has not yet been released.
NES also clarified an important point that many residents have understandably misunderstood: The date shown for a ZIP code is the date NES expects to complete restoration for everyone in that ZIP code—not the date when all customers in that ZIP code will be restored at once.
NES has now begun listing ranges in some ZIP codes (for example: 37220 is now 2/7 to 2/9) to better reflect updated estimate when repairs in the zip code will be finished.
“NES – Estimated Restoration Completed Date Progress”
Published: 2/1/2026, 8 p.m.
This chart shows updated date ranges by ZIP code, reflecting that restoration will occur in stages across each ZIP code area.
7) What Residents Should Do If the Outage Map Says Power Is On
NES emphasized that if the outage tracker shows your power is restored but your home is still without power, you should text NES immediately to report the discrepancy.
NES has stated they are using:
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nespower.com
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social media updates
…to communicate with customers, recognizing that many people still have limited access to television or internet.
8) Damaged Equipment at the Home: What Happens Next
NES also reminded residents that in some cases, power cannot be restored until customer-owned service equipment is repaired.
If equipment on the outside of the home has been damaged, residents may need:
- A licensed electrician
- Local permitting as required
(The electrician typically manages this process.)
NES has stated they are preparing a video with pictures to help residents identify which components are homeowner responsibility. NES service trucks are also beginning to return to address such individual service situations in areas where larger outages have been restored.
9) Tree Trimming Budget: Addressing Misinformation
NES personnel directly rebutted what they described as false information about the tree trimming budget. NES stated:
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The tree trimming budget has increased every year
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It has not been cut in any year
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NES performs trimming on a four-year cycle, covering all areas over that period
10) Critical Care Customers
NES also reported a critical care program for customers with medical needs requiring power. These customers are enrolled through their physicians.
NES stated:
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Approximately 300 customers are on the list
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They have restored power to all but about 30
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These cases include some of the smaller outages that NES is prioritizing
11) Why Oak Hill / Forest Hills / Belle Meade Were Hit Hardest
NES explained that the storm’s impact pattern was driven by how the system moved through the region:
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The storm approached Nashville from the southwest
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It shifted direction at points
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This is why the southwestern parts of the Metro area were hardest hit
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North and east areas of the NES service area experienced less damage overall
12) Why Trucks May Appear Parked
NES responded to concerns from residents who have seen NES or contractor trucks staged in parking lots. NES stated these trucks are not idle, and maybe:
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Crews being trained as part of mobilization
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Trucks gathered during shift changes
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Staging equipment to coordinate restoration operations
13) Safety: Downed Lines
If you see any downed lines, assume they are live:
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Stay at least 30 feet away
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Call 911 and NES
14) A Request for Respect and Patience
NES asked that customers please be supportive of the crews. Workers are operating under NES supervision and direction. While local officials remain in close communication with NES leadership, local officials cannot direct individual trucks to specific locations, as restoration is prioritized by system needs and safety.
15) Customer Support Measures
To help customers impacted by this massive storm, NES has announced:
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Ceasing disconnections for nonpayment
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Waiving late fees until further notice
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Adding a Storm Q&A section on the outages webpage
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Publishing a detailed color map showing restored neighborhoods and outage areas
Closing
To everyone still without power: I know this has been exhausting and discouraging. Please continue to check on neighbors, especially those who may need assistance, and take precautions in cold conditions. We will continue working with NES to share information as quickly and clearly as possible. Thank you for your patience, your resilience, and your care for one another during this storm recovery.
With appreciation and concern,
Mayor Dale Grimes
City of Oak Hill