RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN (WGNS News) - Rutherford County is now in a more dangerous phase of this arctic blast. What started as bitter cold has now shifted into a steady glaze of freezing rain, and it’s taking a toll on the landscape. Trees across the county are bowing under the weight of accumulating ice—some bending nearly in half, others cracking and coming down entirely. When they fall, they’re not just blocking roads or cluttering yards. They’re taking power lines with them.
Middle Tennessee Electric, which serves all of Rutherford County except La Vergne, is already reporting scattered outages, and crews expect the numbers to climb as the day goes on. The combination of falling limbs and ice‑coated lines is a recipe for widespread trouble. Even lines that haven’t been hit by trees are icing over, and the added weight alone is enough to pull them down. It’s the kind of slow‑motion damage that can unfold for hours after the precipitation stops.
If your power goes out, MTE is asking customers to report it through their automated outage line at 877‑777‑0215 or by calling their 24/7 live support line at 877‑777‑9020. Reporting outages helps crews pinpoint problem areas more quickly, especially when multiple neighborhoods are affected at once.
For anyone trying to figure out whether they’re dealing with a small, isolated outage or part of a larger grid issue, MTE’s online outage map is the best tool. A quick check will show whether you’re the only house in the dark or if entire streets—or even whole sections of the county—are offline. It’s a helpful way to set expectations, especially on a day when conditions are changing by the minute. CLICK HERE for Middle Tennessee Electric's (MTE) service area map showing power outages and how many customers are impacted.
With more freezing rain expected and temperatures locked below freezing, the county is bracing for additional damage. Residents are encouraged to stay indoors, avoid wooded areas, and keep phones charged while power is still on. This storm isn’t finished with Rutherford County yet, and the safest place to ride it out is at home, warm, and off the
