Athens Utilities Board Sends Crews to Assist with Winter Storm Fern Power Restoration

ATHENS, Tenn. — Athens Utilities Board (AUB) power crews are assisting with restoration efforts across Tennessee following Winter Storm Fern, which brought ice and severe winter weather that caused widespread power outages.

A seven-member AUB lineman crew left Athens last Sunday to assist with power restoration in the Rockwood area. The crew completed restoration efforts there by Tuesday before moving on to Harriman to assist with additional service restoration. The crew returned to Athens late Thursday night.

AUB is continuing its mutual aid efforts. A second seven-member lineman crew is scheduled to depart for Nashville at lunchtime today to assist Nashville Electric Service (NES). As of today, approximately 112,608 homes and businesses — about 24.3% of NES customers — remain without power following the storm. Ice accumulation and severe weather caused extensive damage to power lines and utility poles throughout Middle Tennessee, and restoration efforts are ongoing.

David St. John, superintendent of power for Athens Utilities Board, said the crew’s work in Rockwood was well received.

“I received a call from Larry Brackett in Rockwood letting me know how impressed he was with our linemen,” St. John said. “He told me that out of all the crews he has worked around, our team stood out.”

St. John also praised the teamwork and dedication shown by AUB’s line crews.

“Our crews work extremely well together, and it’s an honor to work with such a skilled group of linemen,” he said. “They’re always willing to help others, even under challenging conditions.”

Athens Utilities Board regularly participates in mutual aid efforts to support other utilities during major weather events while continuing to serve customers at home.