Over Halfway There
SWEPCO Repairs More Than 50% Complete, Weather May Cause Delays
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Our current restoration estimates for 95 percent of customers who can receive power in the Monte Ne area and those West of U.S. Hwy 71 B in Rogers is 10 p.m. Sunday, June 2, weather permitting. All remaining customers who can receive power should have power restored by 10 p.m. Friday, May 31.
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Restoration times may extend further in isolated instances where extensive repairs are needed, or if weather prevents the crews from working safely. Forecasted storms throughout the weekend could hinder progress. As a result, SWEPCO may continue to revise restoration times to account for complex repairs and potential weather disruptions.
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As of Thursday, May 30 at 11:45 a.m., crews have successfully restored power to more than 65% of customers or nearly 12,500 customers in NWA and are working to get power back for about 6,500 more.
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Some storm restoration debris will be left behind for a short while until pick-up activity can be scheduled following the completion of restoration.
A massive rebuilding effort is underway in the storm ravaged communities of Northwest Arkansas. Based on latest reporting, the National Weather Service (NWS) has now confirmed at least seven tornadoes hit Benton County on Sunday, May 26 — two in Decatur, two in Centerton, one tornado in Rogers, one in War Eagle, and one in Clifty, which crossed over into Madison County.
The severe weather left a path of destruction and destroyed critical infrastructure, including parts of SWEPCO’s energy delivery system. Assessments are now complete, and the number of repairs required continues to rise. The latest data shows the work to rebuild is massive and complex. SWEPCO crews are undaunted and its army of nearly 700 utility, tree and line crew responders are working in concert with the Arkansas National Guard to push forward.
As a team, we’re united in our efforts to help rebuild the places we call home and support our customers by getting the lights back on.
Repairs, which include clearing hundreds of downed trees to safely access more than 750+ unique work locations, replacing approximately 400 broken utility poles, restringing more than10 miles of electrical wire; replacing more than 100 transformers, and more, continue.
Restoration work in the area includes complex repairs. SWEPCO continues to remind customers this will take time to get everyone’s power restored. This morning, SWEPCO began coordinating with the Arkansas National Guard to assist line crews with flagging and traffic control. To ensure crews can work as quickly and as safely as possible, customers are urged to avoid areas where work is underway, not drive past flagged or coned zones and refrain from approaching crews while they work.
STORM RESPONSE BY THE NUMBERS
Our current restoration estimates are unchanged, however predicted weather throughout SWEPCO’s three-state service territory, including Northwest Arkansas, could impact repairs.
We anticipate for 95 percent of customers in the Monte Ne area and those West of U.S. Hwy 71 B in Rogers who can receive power is 10 p.m. Sunday, June 2, weather permitting. All remaining customers who can receive power should have power restored by 10 p.m. Friday, May 31.
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Restoration times may extend further in isolated instances where extensive repairs are needed, or if weather prevents the crews from working safely.
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Customers should remain weather aware as there are storms predicted throughout the week across SWEPCO’s entire three-state service territory.
CAN YOU RECEIVE POWER?
Now is the time for customers to determine whether their home can receive power - SWEPCO cannot connect power to a home or business if there is damage to the service entrance, which is owned by the customer. Customers must have a licensed electrician repair damage before power can be restored. Click for a flyer in English & Spanish.
Learn how to identify weatherhead damages by watching this video. ENGLISH | SPANISH
ATTENTION LICENSED ELECTRICIANS:
SWEPCO will provide available meter sockets (residential and commercial) for licensed professional Electrical Contractors at the Frisco Station Mall parking lot located at 100 N Dixieland in Rogers, Ark., while supplies last. Contractors will be asked to provide contact and location info. A list of approved sockets can be found on SWEPCO.com in case contractors choose to purchase or supply their own meter socket. The list also contains approved multi-gang and combo units as well. The Electric Service Handbook is available for reference. Learn more: https://www.swepco.com/business/builders/requirements
Shown is a residential meter socket
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What should customers do if they see downed lines?
Don't touch it or anything near it. Even telephone or cable lines can become energized. Keep yourself and others as far away as possible and call 911 or SWEPCO immediately at (888) 218-3919.
We will continue to keep you informed as more information becomes available. Updates will be provided at SWEPCO.com as well as other communication channels.