Here is an additional explanation of how the process works from Upper Cumberland Business Journal and our colleague Carl Haney of Cookeville Electric.

Electric power comes in from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) on large high-voltage (161Kv) transmission lines. For perspective, one Kv is 1,000 volts, so 161 KV is 161,000 volts of power. The power goes to one of six substations where transformers break down the power from 161 Kv to 13 Kv. This can be done with one transformer, but each substation has two transformers to provide redundancy if one is damaged or becomes inoperable.

Imagine a substation is like your house. Power comes into the substation and is broken up to serve smaller areas, and each has a breaker, just like your house and its breaker box. Typically, there are six breakers in each substation, serving 500-2,000 customers each, and designed to protect the overall system when something happens to one part of it. If a tree falls on one distribution line, the breaker for that section will flip, and the other town sections will not be affected.

Power leaves the substations on 3-Phase distribution lines. In Cookeville, these are primary lines that serve those 500-2,000 customers across small portions of the city.  The lines each carry 13 Kv of power. 

A transformer at each residence reduced the power from 13,000 volts down to 240 volts (two 120-volt lines) that feed the service on your house, providing its power.  

Why does it take so much longer to repair a 3-Phase line than a line to your house?

If a tree falls on one of the 3-Phase lines, it is typically a larger pole and creates greater damage.

If a tree falls on a line to your house, it’s typically going to break that line to the pole, or it’s going to rip the service off the house so that it can cause damage to your house. We can go out when you get your service up and just put that one line up. When the 3-Phase lines fall, they can break poles; they can tear up transformers and break cross arms. There’s just more equipment there for the potential for them to break when they do get torn down, and there’s a large number of customers that it affects.

Why was this storm so much worse?

The extreme cold and the ice made this the perfect storm.

Ice to us in the electric industry is a lot worse than snow. It stays on the trees. It stays on the lines – obviously, the ice does. It’s a lot heavier than snow. A quarter-inch of ice can cause damage. A quarter-inch of snow, and we don’t even know it’s there. On top of that, you started adding freezing rain that keeps accumulating on those lines.  Cookeville was right on the edge of a line during the storm. The southeast side was more rain, and the northwest side of that line was freezing rain. 

The majority of our damage was to the north and west of the city shared Haney. First, we had rain, and it began freezing. The rain and freezing rain continued to fall. So, when they would get one section clear and power restored, they would move to another section. 

Almost immediately, ice would begin to accumulate on the just restored section, and it would go back out. There were sections of the city that had to get repaired multiple times throughout the storm.

The multiple waves of this storm have made the biggest impact in damage. The continual fall of freezing rain, and even the regular rain that fell Wednesday night, froze upon hitting the ice that was already hanging on power lines and tree limbs, stressing them to the point of breaking.

This winter storm system is unlike anything we’ve seen in a generation. We are battling Mother Nature to restore your power.

We understand the frustration that comes along with extended periods of no electricity. Our friends and family rely on us to restore power, and we take pride in delivering the best service.

But, winter storms can be unrelenting and continually “undo” repairs until the weather breaks. That doesn’t stop us from making repairs in the harsh conditions until they stick. We appreciate the kindness members have shown our UCEMC employees, expressing appreciation and bringing food and coffee.

At UCEMC, we feel that “knowledge is power.” As we work to get the electricity flowing to your home, we want to empower you with updates, news, and information during this crisis. Many of you have questions about how we restore power. Here are some that we see the most:

Your Frequently Asked Questions:

Q:   I don’t see a UCEMC truck in my area. Are they working on getting the lights on in my neighborhood?

Even though you can’t see a utility truck working nearby, rest assured that UCEMC crews are working to get your lights back on. In the graphic above, you can see that we begin closest to the main lines near the substations and work our way out until we find the problem. Sometimes you can’t see the problem area that is causing your outage. It may be a significant distance away on a main line and need to be fixed before we can restore your power.

Q: My neighbor across the street has power, but I don’t. What’s going on?

You may notice that someone nearby has power back on before you do, such as one side of the street versus the other side. That’s probably because different power lines serve the two areas. It could also be a component on your house or meter pole is damaged. If you know that power is restored to your area and you see no damage to the service connection at your home, but you’re still in the dark call 1-800-261-2940 or visit the UCEMC website to report your outage. If you see damage to your service connection such as your meter being torn off the house by a limb, you’ll need to get a licensed electrician out to fix your equipment before your power can be restored.

Q:  I’ve reported my outage at least three times. How do I know that I’m being heard?

We thank you for reporting your outage by calling 1-800-261-2940 or visiting ucemc.com. Once you’ve done that, your outage is reported. Reporting an outage on the website is simple and easy when the call system is overwhelmed, as it is during this winter weather crisis. Call centers are not staffed to take 10,000 plus calls. We need to know about each and every outage.

Q: I see in your updates that power in many homes is on, but still, mine has been out for more than 24 hours. Why can’t you tell me when my power will be restored?

     With an ongoing winter storm and widespread outages, time estimations for repair are impossible. Until the weather clears, new issues continue to develop across the system, despite UCEMC’s best efforts. In worst case winter storms like we are experiencing now, sometimes the same repairs have to be made over and over until the weather clears. 

Q: How do you decide what to work on first?

In order of restoration, crews are dispatched first to deal with public safety threats, such as wires down that block roads or streets, traffic lights, etc. They also have to conduct damage assessments to assess where and what supplies are needed to make repairs. Our Right of Way (tree crews) must often be called in to clear fallen trees and limbs from roads before fixing the problem. We start repairs with the main lines, feeding from our power delivery points (or substations). Sometimes those repairs are extensive, and with ongoing winter storms, sometimes repairs have to be made over and over until the weather clears. Then, it takes additional time to repair neighborhood and individual lines once the main lines are repaired.

Q: My power was on yesterday for a few hours and then went off again. Sometimes, my lights are blinking off and on. Why is this happening?

Unfortunately, until the weather forecast changes in our favor with warmer temperatures, this may continue to happen during this winter weather crisis.  Our crews are making great strides, getting large numbers of members back online each day. More trees are breaking during the freezing nights, and limbs are snapping and falling on the lines. Sometimes the limbs make the lights blink, while heavier limbs and trees take out the wires – and your power.

We’re here to answer your many questions and help in any way we can. Please continue to visit ucemc.com and our Facebook page for information as this winter weather crisis continues.

One description is that it looked like a war zone in some Upper Cumberland areas last week. Once the snow and ice melted, those of us who aren’t lineworkers ventured out of our homes and looked around. If you live in town, you might not have seen that much damage from the storm at first glance. But other areas told a different story. Bowing street lights, hundreds of limbs littering the ground like matchsticks, some of them blocking utility access roads. Snapped power poles were abundant in some places.

Equipment on the ground in the 2021 Ice & Snow Storm

Bartlett Pear Down in 2021 Ice Snow Storm UCEMC

This is what UCEMC lineworkers faced as they continued to restore power to the remaining members who were without power last week.  Right of Way crews stayed far ahead of lineworkers to clear the path of hundreds of trees that snapped in the cold. Poles with transformers and lines still attached fell, street lights laid on the ground. This winter weather system packed all the punch of a hurricane without the water. Heavy ice and snow left behind damage similar to a tornado, except that damage was more widespread.  

This pole snapped like a twig in the 2021 Ice & Snow Storm.

UCEMC Crew in Dodsons Branch in the 2021 Ice & Snow Storm

Crews from Tri-County Electric Membership Corporation, Ft. Loudoun Electric Cooperative, Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corporation, and Appalachian Electric Cooperative assisted the UCEMC crews restoration effort, which narrowed down to the scattered, more isolated areas later in the week. In the Livingston District, power restoration was hampered by the sheer number of fallen trees over power lines in more rural areas., blocking access roads, impeding pole installation, and line replacement. Diggers, bucket trucks, and crews faced more rugged terrain and extensive damage as restoration work reached into the scattered outages along hills and remote, unpaved roads. 

REPORT OUTAGES on the home page by clicking on the District Office tab and details about your district. 

Weathering This Winter Storm Safely

Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation takes pride in providing reliable power to all homes and businesses within our service area. Still, during this historic winter storm with predicted ice accumulation of three-quarters inch, widespread outages can occur that provide restoration challenges for our crews. The heavy ice and snow have caused trees and limbs to fall on lines, knocking energized lines to the ground. Bulldozers, diggers, saws, and bucket trucks must navigate through dozens of these large downed trees to get to damaged electrical equipment.

Should trees and limbs fall near your home, UCEMC reminds you to stay clear of downed power lines or equipment and never assume they are safe to approach. Call us to report.  You should only call 911 if you have a life-threatening emergency.

Preparing for an outage:

• Develop an emergency plan and share it with your family. Be sure everyone knows what to expect and what to do. Have a plan in case power is out for a more extended period.
• Make a list of local emergency contact numbers (fire, police, ambulance, etc.). Include UCEMC’s number – 1-800-261-2940.
• Prepare an emergency kit and store it in an easy-to-find location. Check it regularly to make sure it is well stocked and that all equipment is in good working order.
• Include a battery-operated flashlight in your emergency kit to avoid using candles, as they can be fire hazards.

Your Emergency Kit:

Prepare for the first 72 hours. Stock your emergency kit with these essentials:

• Flashlights and batteries
• Battery operated radio and clock.
• Cell phone and external power bank
• Candles and waterproof matches or a lighter
• Blankets, coats, hats, and gloves
• Plastic garbage bags
• First aid kit
• Non-perishable food such as canned and dried goods
• Bottled water
• Manual can opener
• Prescription drugs, contact lens solution.
• Extra cash
• Spare car keys
• Sleeping bags
• Toilet paper, other personal toiletries
• A loud whistle in case you need to attract attention

What should I know about portable and standby generators?

We are all very dependent on electricity. In some circumstances, it makes sense to consider a portable or standby generator. Before buying a generator, it’s important to do some homework to do it right and stay safe.

• Standby generators are not intended to meet all of the electrical needs of a home or business. Do not connect them directly into your home wiring system without taking safety precautions.
• Proper installation and regular inspection are necessary to ensure the generator is safe for you and our linemen, who might need to work on your lines during an outage.
• Do your homework before you buy one. It’s important to understand your electricity needs to accept the right-sized unit with the right voltage.
• Make sure that you buy all that you need, including an approved transfer device or switch.
• Hire a licensed electrical contractor to install the unit. Be sure a certified inspector inspects the installation.

What do I do if the power goes out?

First, make sure that your whole house is out of power. You may have a blown a fuse or a tripped circuit breaker. Be sure to check your service panel. Check to see if nearby streetlights our neighbors are out of power. If your power is out, call UCEMC at 1-800-261-2940 to report the outage immediately. 
During a widespread outage, lines will be busy. Please be patient.

How quickly do UCEMC crews respond?

Every outage is treated as an emergency. No matter the extent of the damage, our crews start working right away to get power back on.

 What can I do during a power outage?

 First, find out if the outage is just in your home or in the entire neighborhood.

If it’s just your home:

• Turn off or disconnect all major appliances.
• Check the circuit breakers or fuse box.
• If the breakers have tripped off or fuses have blown, you may have overloaded the circuit. Reset the breaker or replace the fuse.
• If it trips off again, you will need to find the problem. If you are not sure what to do, call a qualified electrician for help.

If the power is out in the neighborhood:

• Switch off and unplug larger appliances. This could prevent injury, fire, or damage should a sudden power surge happen when the power comes back on.
• Leave one light switch on so you know when the power is restored.
• Keep a battery-powered radio handy to get updates on what is happening.
• Keep your fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Most food will keep from 24 to 48 hours.
• Never touch downed wires or low hanging wires. Telephone or cable television wires that touch a power line can be deadly. Stay at least 10 meters away from downed power lines, and in an emergency, call 911.
• Never try to make your own electrical repairs to Upper Cumberland EMC’s equipment. Let our dedicated and highly trained crews do the work.
• Never pull tree limbs off power lines.
• Never walk into areas where crews are at work. If you are driving near work crews, obey road signs and proceed cautiously.
• Never use water on electrical equipment or wires in your home. Use a dry chemical fire extinguisher. NEVER attempt to put out a power line fire should a line fall near your home. Call UCEMC immediately and stay far away from the area.
• Never use a portable generator indoors, including inside a garage or other enclosed or partially closed area, as it could cause Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Can I use my barbeque or camping equipment inside during an outage?

Never use barbeques, propane, or kerosene heaters indoors. They are for outdoor use only. Portable stoves, lamps, and other camping equipment can be useful during an outage. However, to avoid any risk of fire or to your health, make sure fuels and equipment are stored in a garage or shed separate from your home.

What should I do if I encounter a downed power line?

Ice storms, high winds, or tree limbs can bring down power lines. Never assume that a wire is dead. Please call us at 1-800-261-2940 to tell us about the wires or report them to the police as soon as possible. If a power line falls on your car while you are in the car, stay inside until an emergency crew removes the line. If you have to get out, jump clear without touching the car and the ground at the same time. After jumping, keep your feet together and shuffle away until you are at least 10m away from the wire. Check out the video on our safety page at ucemc.com.

Why should I stay away from downed power lines?

You must never touch or go near a fallen wire, even if it is on the ground. Fallen wires may still be energized and could cause serious injury or even death. If you see a fallen line, stay far away and secure the area. Please notify us by calling 1-800-261-2940 or report downed wires to the police as soon as possible.

What should I do after a power outage?

Carefully check the food in your refrigerator and freezer. If the outage was for a longer time (24 – 48 hours), don’t take any chances with spoiled food. Here is a helpful hint for when you plan to be away from home for few days. Place a bag of ice cubes in your freezer before you go out. If the ice cubes have melted and refrozen, the same thing has happened to your food. The freezer contents will be spoiled. Also, remember to reset your clocks, timers, and alarms.

How Do I make repairs to my home’s electrical equipment?

If there is damage to your home’s electrical system, UCEMC may not be able to reconnect your power until you make repairs. You may have to call a Licensed Electrical Contractor first.

UCEMC appreciates your patience during this winter storm that is wreaking havoc in our area. Please check ucemc.com and the official UCEMC Facebook page for updates as they are available to us from our crews out in the field. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Please keep our crews in your thoughts and prayers as they work in these dangerous conditions.

The Power Your Way pre-payment program from Upper Cumberland Electric is an option if you’re looking for an alternative to the traditional way you manage your electric service. The program allows participants to avoid a deposit and monthly bills, customize their payment schedule, purchase energy when convenient, and monitor their own consumption.  Power Your Way changes everything you know about how you use electricity by providing real options for your unique situation, allowing you to pay for energy on your schedule, and giving you the information to control your energy costs like never before. It’s Power. YOUR way. There are no due dates, no monthly bills, no deposit necessary. Pay for your electricity according to your usage, your budget. It’s like putting gas in your car.  Check out how it works in the video below. If you think Power Your Way will work for you, call us. 1-800-261-2940.

To learn more about our Power Your Way pre-payment program, click here… 

     Not all of the great linemen were warming up on the field in Tampa for the Super Bowl on Sunday. Wet snow fell in the Upper Cumberland overnight Saturday, causing tree limbs to break and power lines to fall under the weight. UCEMC members in Buck Mountain, Silver Point, Rocky Point, Hawkins Crawford, and Shipley School Road were among the areas experiencing outages of 4 hours or more. UCEMC linemen worked in the snow, ice, and fog to replace the lines and restore power to members in plenty of time to warm up their homes and enjoy Sunday activities. UCEMC reminds members that after a storm, stay far away from downed power lines and call us immediately to report the location of your outage. UCEMC would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we continue to provide you with safe, reliable, power even in a storm like this. 

Local People. Local Power.

Not a vaccine, but a slice of the “good life” awaits you on the shores of the Cumberland.

What keeps the owner of a boutique tourist destination awake at night these days? Not what you might think for UCEMC member John Deane, the owner of Granville’s new Wildwood Resort and Marina with his wife, Natasha. John no longer worries about the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on tourism to the Cumberland River’s hidden jewel. Attention to the staff’s strict safety guidelines, recent rave reviews, and repeat business from boaters across the country have eased that fear. The word that Wildwood holds the cure for cabin fever has gone, well, viral, and that’s why counting parking spaces instead of sheep is keeping John awake. Wildwood is gaining momentum in the travel world for its welcoming up-scale but friendly atmosphere. It’s a creative marriage of sophistication and beachy, wear-your-flip-flops charm about fifteen miles off 1-40 in Jackson County.

“COVID causes cabin fever; cabin fever drives our business,” John explains. “Here, you’re either safely in your four-star accommodations – luxuriating in 400-thread-count linens – or you’re on the lake kayaking, paddle-boarding, or strolling the boardwalk, and outside is where everybody wants to be. We’ve been a great answer to the cabin fever caused by stay-at-home orders and travel bans, but when this pandemic lifts, I think we’ll be faced with a parking problem. That’s my up-at-night issue, honestly!” Luckily, many tourists from Knoxville, Atlanta, Nashville, and beyond have discovered Wildwood the same way John and Natasha did – not by car – but by boat. “We have 132 Brazilian hardwood boat slips, and we’re 90 percent occupied now. Our houseboat slips provide 30/50 amp service as well as internet and cable TV access. We expect boat traffic to grow even more now that Chef is here. He’s a game-changer for us, and it’s made the dining experience alone worth the trip.”

Chef Evan Babb’s farm-to-table plan includes a vegetable garden on the Wildwood property.“Chef” is Evan Babb, who came to Wildwood from Georgia in June. Guests are already addicted to Chef’s sophisticated, southern spin on French and Mexican food, vegan dishes, and anything a hungry guest can think of in-between. If farm-to-table is your thing, Evan comes by that naturally. He’s even planning a garden on the Wildwood property. “I grew up with great cooks around me, and every year we had a garden,” Evan says. “We canned for the winter, and we loaded our plates with veggies, eggs, and meats. Fresh-from-the-garden food is essential to me, and I plan on incorporating the garden fare into each dish.” 

Evan’s hunter-gatherer instincts will be well-honed by the time Wildwood opens March 5 – the prime season for hunting his favorite game – mushrooms. Certified to forage and sell 32 different wild mushrooms, he’s already searching the woods around the resort for edible specimens. “I’ve been eager for March when we open – that’s Morrell season,” Evan says. “I’d like to organize a little educational tour package and take people out to do some mushroom foraging in the area.”

Fresh-from-the-garden vegetables co-star with wild caught salmon at Wildwood Resort and Marina.The romance of food is why Evan is in love with his career. “I think each culture has its own type of comfort food and being able to express love to someone through food, whether it’s Southern, Italian, Mexican, or French, that’s pure joy for me.” A beautiful morning at Wildwood can begin with a brunch of Stuffed French Toast, Chicken and Waffles, Warm Cinnamon Rolls, or a Bacon and Egg Cheeseburger. Evan dishes up his famous Fried Deviled Eggs or Creole peel-and-eat shrimp to those docking their boats out front, and the courtship begins. It doesn’t end until everyone at the table has enjoyed precisely the tasty morsels they crave. Evan provides vegan options. With his fresh garden harvests, “Chef” can prepare anything you like for your particular diet, even if it isn’t on the menu. That’s love. You had me at cinnamon rolls.

Unique cocktails complement Evan’s fare on the menu at the Lakeside Libations bar. Sounds ironic, but relax with an Absolute Stress; a blend of vodka, coconut rum, peach schnapps, pineapple, cranberry, and orange juices. Well-heeled clientele who demand a quality wine list won’t be disappointed. End the day with a Wildwood Sunset – if you dare.

The popular “Saltboxes” are spacious and set at the shoreline with views of woods and water.

 Floor-to-ceiling windows and ship lap walls offer guests a sophisticated mountain retreat experience.

Visitors may flock to Wildwood for the food, but they’re staying for the atmosphere that gives them a home-away-from-home feeling. Only better. Chilling is tough these days when the office is at the house. The accommodations have upped the luxury ante with room service and your choice of six lodging options – all with views of the woods and water. The shore-hugging Saltboxes are spacious and set in the woods with ship-lap walls, floor-to-ceiling windows, and those sumptuous linens. The 14-room inn provides 4-star hotel-style lodging, in-suite bath, and king or twin beds. An open, spacious 4-room lodge faces the marina and sports a solar cell array. The large porch is suitable for a gals’ safely-distanced weekend away. The floating harbor cottage on the end of the dock has a commanding view of the Cumberland River and surrounding wilderness. “Glamping” is what you’ll find in The Woods, where five iconic, vintage Airstreams have been given the luxury treatment. Six “Village Cabins” will have you making s’mores around a giant fire pit. With the high-quality linens and appointments that the owners demand on this property, the rustic Legacy Cabins aren’t so rustic and prove to be popular with families. All provide free WiFi, and pet-friendly rooms are available.

Tennessee’s longest boardwalk beckons guests to enjoy life on the river any time of day. More than 100 lights illuminate the path from the campground to the Sunset Pavilion across the river.

While the river is the main draw at Wildwood, you won’t have to stick a toe in the water to enjoy time on the Cumberland. The state’s longest boardwalk offers duck watching and a breathtaking, unobstructed view as it takes you from the campground, over the water, to the sunset pavilion. More than one hundred lights ensure that your boardwalk sunset selfies are spectacular. “Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation gets a big shout-out from us. The co-op has been a huge partner with us on this construction project,” John says. “We’ve buried most of our electric lines, taken down poles to beautify the area, and UCEMC helped us get solar on the lodge. We had the boardwalk lights on for the first time last night, and it was exciting!”

March 5 is the date to give cabin fever the heave-ho and make Wildwood fever something you’ll want to come down with every weekend. Check out Visitwildwood.com for more information.