Honestly, there is nothing quite like that sudden thump of silence when the power goes out. You're mid-sentence, the TV dies, and the fridge stops humming. For most of us in East Tennessee, the first instinct is to grab the phone and check if it’s just our house or the whole block.
If you are looking for a power outage knoxville today update, here is the current reality: as of Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) is reporting near-total reliability. We are talking about a handful of isolated incidents—barely nine customers without power across the entire service area this morning.
Basically, the grid is holding steady. But with a cold front moving in tonight, that could change faster than a Rocky Top chorus.
The Current Numbers: Who is in the Dark?
Right now, the KUB system is running at 99.99% capacity. While "zero" is the goal, there are almost always a few blips on the map. Most of these tiny outages are concentrated in Knox County, specifically near the downtown periphery and small pockets of North Knoxville.
Typically, when you see a "9 customers affected" notification, it isn't a grid failure. It is usually a squirrel having a very bad day with a transformer or a localized equipment failure.
- Knox County: 9 customers out.
- Sevier County: 0 customers out.
- Union & Grainger: Fully powered.
- Blount & Anderson: No reported issues.
If your lights are flickering right now, don't panic. But you should probably know what's coming. The National Weather Service in Morristown has been flagging a transition from these mild showers today to a rain-snow mix tonight. That is where things usually get messy for Knoxville.
Why Knoxville Power Outages Happen in January
In East Tennessee, we don't usually lose power because of "the grid" being weak. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) actually has a massive $15 billion investment plan currently rolling out to beef up our infrastructure. No, our problem is almost always the trees.
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Knoxville is a lush city. We love our canopy. But when you mix 45-degree rain with a sudden drop to freezing temperatures, you get heavy, wet limbs. These branches lean on KUB lines, and—snap—there goes your internet.
The power outage knoxville today update shows that while we are safe this morning, the "polar vortex" chatter is starting to pick up. When Arctic air hits the moisture currently hanging over the Valley, ice accumulation becomes the primary threat.
KUB's "Order of Restoration" Explained
KUB doesn't just drive around aimlessly when the lights go out. They have a very specific hierarchy for who gets power back first.
- Critical Systems: Hospitals (like UT Medical Center and Fort Sanders), water pump stations, and emergency communications.
- Transmission Lines: These are the big "backbone" lines. If these are down, thousands are out.
- Substations: The hubs that feed neighborhoods.
- Distribution Lines: The lines running down your specific street.
- Service Lines: The tiny wire running from the pole to your actual house.
If you’re the only one on your block without power, you’re at the bottom of that list. It feels personal. It isn't. It’s just logistics.
The Weather Factor: Tonight's Snow-Rain Mix
Let’s be real: Knoxville drivers and Knoxville power lines both hate the same thing—"the mix."
Today’s forecast shows a high of around 48°F with some overcast skies. Pretty standard. But tonight, temperatures are expected to dive. When that rain turns into snow showers or, worse, freezing rain, the weight on the lines increases exponentially.
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According to recent data from FindEnergy and PowerOutage.us, KUB has actually been doing a great job lately. Over the last 72 hours, we’ve seen peak outages of only about 26 customers at a time. That’s remarkably stable for mid-January.
But if you remember the storms from a few days ago—specifically around January 5th—nearly 2,700 people were in the dark. That was a localized wind event. Tonight's threat is more about temperature and moisture.
What to Do If Your Power Goes Out Today
If you find yourself in the dark later tonight, don't wait for your neighbor to call it in. KUB’s automated system is good, but it’s not psychic.
How to report and track:
- Call KUB: 865-524-2911 is the number you need.
- The Text Option: You can text "OUT" to 898582 (but you have to be registered first).
- The Map: Check the live KUB Outage Map. If your area is "Green," it's a small crew task. If it’s "Red," it’s a major transmission issue.
One weird thing people forget: Gas leaks. If the power goes out and you suddenly smell sulfur or "rotten eggs," that is a natural gas issue. KUB handles both. Leave the house immediately. Don't even turn off the lights on your way out—the spark from a switch can be enough to cause a problem.
Actionable Steps for Knoxville Residents
Since the power outage knoxville today update is currently "all clear," now is the window to actually prepare.
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First, charge your portable power banks now. Don't wait until 9:00 PM when the rain starts turning to sleet.
Second, check your flashlight batteries. It sounds like "Dad advice," but finding a dead Maglite in a dark kitchen is a rite of passage no one actually wants.
Third, if you have a generator, do not run it in your garage. Every year, someone in East Tennessee ends up in the ER for carbon monoxide poisoning because they thought the garage door being cracked was enough ventilation. It isn't.
Keep an eye on the Morristown NWS updates as the sun goes down. The transition from rain to snow is the "danger zone" for our local grid. If we can get through the night without significant ice buildup on the trees, Knoxville should remain fully powered through the rest of the week.
Stay warm, keep the phone charged, and maybe keep a blanket nearby just in case that January wind decides to get frisky with a loose tree limb.