A severe storm that moved through New Boston, Texas, knocked this trampoline into a power line.
What You Need to Know
- Severe weather moved through portions of Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas early Tuesday, bringing damaging winds and multiple tornado warnings across our service territory.
- At the peak of the storm, we reported approximately 29,000 outages across our three-state region.
- A National Weather Service Wind Advisory is in effect for portions of Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas served by SWEPCO through 6 p.m. Wednesday, which could result in additional outages and impact listed restoration times.
- SWEPCO crews are responding. Assessments are underway to begin restoring power as quickly and as safely as possible.
- Safety remains a significant concern. Please treat any downed lines as dangerous. Call 911 to report any hazards or call SWEPCO immediately at (888) 218-3919.
CURRENT SITUATION
As a result of powerful storms that moved across the region early Tuesday causing multiple tornado warnings, SWEPCO crews are working to restore service safely and quickly to impacted customers.
A National Weather Service Wind Advisory is in effect for portions of Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas served by SWEPCO through 6 p.m. Wednesday, which could result in additional outages and impact listed restoration times.
At the peak of the storm, we reported approximately 29,000 outages across our three-state region with extensive damage initially in Texas. As the storms moved east, Louisiana also was impacted with Shreveport and Hornbeck areas experiencing significant damage. Currently, approximately 13,600 customers remain without power.
ASSESSING THE DAMAGE
Damage assessors have reported downed power lines and fallen trees across the three states. Crews are working as safely and quickly as possible to restore service to our communities.
In Texas, crews were able to quickly restore power to more than 16,000 customers by mid-afternoon Tuesday. The remaining outages in Longview and its surrounding areas are primarily due to downed wire and trees falling on power lines. Wind advisories are still in effect for the area, which may result in additional outages. Further north, many Texas communities, experienced heavy rain and damaging winds that tossed debris, including a trampoline that landed in a New Boston power line.
In Louisiana, damage in the Shreveport area largely includes downed trees and power lines. Some needed repairs in Many are within inaccessible areas that will require specialized equipment.
As we get more specific information, updates will be forthcoming.
GET RESTORATION UPDATES
Following initial damage assessments today, restoration estimates for 95% of customers who can receive power in areas impacted by the storm are below. Power could be restored sooner. Restoration times will be updated as crews continue working to restore power.
Arkansas
8 p.m. today, March 4
- Lockesburg
- De Queen
- Nashville
- Texarkana
Midnight, today, March 4
Ashdown
Louisiana
6 p.m. today, March 4
10 p.m. today, March 4
- Bossier City
- Haughton
- Plain Dealing
- Shreveport
- Vivian
10 p.m. Wednesday, March 5
Texas
6 p.m. today, March 4
8 p.m. today, March 4
10 p.m. today, March 4
Midnight today, March 4
- Longview
- Gladewater
- Marshall
- Carthage
- Texarkana
- Atlanta
- New Boston
Noon Wednesday, March 5
By enrolling in our alerts at SWEPCO.com/Alerts, customers get updated restoration information. When our crews arrive on individual work sites, a more precise restoration time for the affected group of customers will be updated in our system and communicated through alerts if the customers have signed up to receive our notifications by phone or email. Updated information can also be found at SWEPCO.com/OutageMap.
POST-STORM SAFETY TIPS
- Stay as far away as possible from downed wires and anything they may be touching. Call 911 to report any hazards or call SWEPCO immediately at (888) 218-3919.
- Carefully investigate before cleaning up any debris. Tree limbs, leaves and other objects moved by the wind could hide downed wires.
- Do not attempt to remove tree limbs or debris within 10 feet of a power line.
- If using a generator, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Should I call SWEPCO to report my power outage?
Immediately after a major storm, report only safety hazards such as downed power lines or equipment that is sparking. Often, we’re already aware of damage to our systems such as transmission lines and distribution circuits. Your calls help us focus resources on hazards that are not automatically picked up by our monitoring systems.
You can also report an outage using our online form.
Want to be the first to know about outages? Subscribe to alerts.
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.
How does SWEPCO handle tree damage?
Our tree crews are among the first responders as they work to safely clear trees from our lines and equipment and move to the next location as quickly as possible to allow our line crews to restore power.
We do not remove cut trees or limbs during emergency power restoration. In these instances, property owners are responsible for removing tree debris.
Don't attempt to remove tree limbs or debris yourself if it is within 10 feet of a power line. Also, if you notice downed lines or sparking equipment, stay far away and call 911 and SWEPCO immediately at (888) 218-3919.
STAYING CONNECTED
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NEXT UPDATE
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.