Full Breakdown
Severe Thunderstorms Trigger Widespread Outages Across the Memphis Metro Area
8/23/2026, 11:53:41 AM
Core Event: Mid-South Thunderstorm Watch and Bow-Echo Storm
On Saturday, August 22, the National Weather Service in Memphis issued a severe thunderstorm watch for all of the Mid-South, remaining in effect until 10 PM CDT. Radar tracked a fast-moving storm near Collierville and later over Eads, traveling east at about 35 mph. The system produced straight-line winds, hail and occasional tornadoes, and was classified as a bow-echo storm capable of generating 80-100 mph winds.
Data & Statistics
- Power outages: More than 100,000 customers lost electricity, with a peak of roughly 130,000 customers without power.
- Wind gusts: The Fox 13 Memphis warning cited gusts up to 60 mph; the bow-echo description added potential winds of 80-100 mph.
- Hail: Radar indicated hail up to 0.60 inches in diameter.
- Geographic scope: Warnings covered dozens of counties in Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas and northern Mississippi, including cities such as Memphis, Germantown, Collierville, Olive Branch, Southaven, and many others. Major highways impacted included Interstate 22, I-240, I-55 and I-40 across multiple mile-marker segments.
Impact on Infrastructure and Communities
The storm knocked out power for the majority of Shelby County and surrounding jurisdictions. Downed trees and power lines were reported in Germantown and Olive Branch, prompting city crews to treat all lines as live and to clear debris. A church in Olive Branch sustained damage on August 22. The Memphis International Airport received an Airport Weather Warning, advising preparation for wind gusts of 45 knots or higher.
Official Statements & Responses
Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) indicated that assessment teams and tree-trimming crews were already on the scene, joined by additional staff and more than 30 contractor crews. The utility projected a multi-day recovery, expecting most customers to have power restored by Thursday evening based on early assessments.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are still doing assessment to understand the extent of damage, but from what we know now, our customers should expect this to be a multi-day recovery, with the majority of customers expected to be restored by Thursday evening based on early assessments,” — MLGW
- “Tonight, we have the MLGW team and tree trimming crews already at work assessing damage and restoring power where they can. They will be joined by additional MLGW staff and by more than 30 contractor crews who are headed our way. We are actively working to bring in even more crews,” — MLGW
