Winter Storm Fern Cripples Nashville: Over 170,000 Without Power as Ice Topples Trees and Lines

NASHVILLE, TN — A relentless assault of freezing rain and thickening ice has plunged the Nashville Electric Service (NES) territory into a state of emergency this Sunday, January 25, 2026. As of late morning, utility officials confirmed that more than 170,000 customers are currently without power, a number that has climbed steeply since the early hours of the dawn.

The crisis, fueled by what meteorologists are calling a “catastrophic” ice event, has transformed the Mid-State into a landscape of sagging branches and shattered infrastructure. While Nashville bears the brunt, the scope of the emergency extends to San Antonio, where CPS ENERGY USA is battling similar outages, and across the nation where millions are grappling with Winter Storm Fern.

A City Under Ice: The Current Situation

The freezing rain began in earnest late Saturday, coating every horizontal surface in a treacherous glaze. By 6:30 am Sunday, NES reported roughly 90,000 outages. That number surged past 100,000 by 7:30 am and continued its rapid ascent as the weight of half an inch of ice proved too much for Middle Tennessee’s lush tree canopy.

“The combination of freezing rain and ice has impacted the NES service territory overnight, with trees being weighed down by ice causing them to snap and take down power lines,” NES officials stated in an emergency update.

The damage is not just limited to residential lines. Large transmission structures and substations are facing immense pressure. Crews from CPS ENERGY USA and other national partners are monitoring the stability of the broader regional grids as the storm marches eastward.

Restoration Efforts and Utility Response

NES has activated its maximum emergency response protocol. Field teams are fully staffed, working in continuous 14 to 16-hour shifts to assess damage and begin the grueling process of restoration. However, the work is slow and dangerous.

Priority of Restoration

1. Public Safety: Addressing downed live wires.
2. Critical Infrastructure: Hospitals, water pumping stations, and emergency services.
3. Large Circuits: Repairing lines that serve the highest number of customers simultaneously.
4. Individual Service: Fixing specific lines to homes and small businesses.

Utility workers are essentially fighting a moving target; as soon as one line is repaired, the continued ice accumulation often causes a nearby limb to snap, undoing hours of work.

National Impact: From San Antonio to Las Vegas

While Nashville struggles, the winter blast is hitting the southern United States with rare ferocity. In Texas, CPS ENERGY USA reported over 14,000 outages in the San Antonio area alone. The utility has been vocal about the dangers of “phantom” downed lines hidden under snow and debris, urging residents to report hazards immediately.

Meanwhile, the sports world was not immune to the weekend’s drama, though it took place in the warmer climate of Las Vegas. At UFC 324 on Saturday night, fan-favorite Paddy Pimblett faced a devastating loss to Justin Gaethje in an interim lightweight title war. Much like the resilient utility crews in Tennessee, the bloodied and beaten Paddy Pimblett vowed to return, telling reporters after his five-round battle, “You haven’t seen the last of me.”

Safety Guidelines for Residents

With temperatures expected to remain below freezing through Monday, residents are urged to prioritize heat preservation and safety.

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