Lineworkers Dillon Maddox and Daniel Hardin work to restore power in Texarkana.
What You Need to Know
- Severe wind gusts moved through portions of Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas Tuesday evening adding new outages to areas still recovering from morning storms that included two confirmed tornadoes in Louisiana and multiple warnings across SWEPCO’s three-state region.
- A National Weather Service Wind Advisory remains in effect until 6 p.m. today. Additional outages Tuesday night impacted initial restoration times and could continue to lead to additional outages and affect listed restoration times.
- Wind gusts rendered bucket trucks unsafe for line workers to continue working, complicating SWEPCO's efforts to restore electricity to the thousands of customers who were still in the dark last night amid whipping winds.
- At the peak of the morning storm, we reported approximately 29,000 outages across our three-state region. Amid significant restoration progress, outages began to climb in the early evening hours due to high winds.
- SWEPCO crews are responding as safely and quickly as possible. Estimated times of restoration for 95% of customers is 10 p.m. today.
- To help with this effort, Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) is lending a hand in East Texas, and Fayetteville crews are stepping in to assist in Natchitoches, Many and Hornbeck, ensuring that we get power back to our customers as soon 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
Restoration efforts in Atlanta, Texas.
Severe wind gusts moved through portions of Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas Tuesday evening adding new outages to areas still recovering from morning storms that included two confirmed tornadoes in Louisiana and multiple warnings across SWEPCO’s three-state region.
A National Weather Service Wind Advisory remains in effect for portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas served by SWEPCO through 6 p.m. today. This advisory may lead to additional outages and could affect listed restoration times.
At the peak of the storm, we reported approximately 29,000 outages across our three-state region, with extensive damage initially concentrated in Texas. As the storms progressed eastward, Louisiana experienced significant impacts as well, particularly in the Shreveport and Hornbeck areas.
Additional outages Tuesday night due to high winds impacted initial restoration times and could continue to lead to additional outages and affect listed restoration times. Currently, approximately 13,100 customers remain without power.
Dry conditions are expected today under clearing skies, with temperatures climbing into the upper 50s and lower 60s. However, low temperatures are projected to drop into the 30s across the area. Strong northwest winds will sustain speeds of 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph possible. Last night, wind gusts rendered bucket trucks unsafe for linemen to continue working, complicating SWEPCO's efforts to restore electricity to thousands of customers still without power.
The primary concern today is high winds, which limit our ability to restore power. We strive to keep our trucks grounded if wind speeds exceed 30 mph, which inevitably slows down restoration efforts.
Additionally, a damage survey team from the National Weather Service confirmed the tracks of two EF-1 tornadoes in northern Caddo Parish, Louisiana, with peak winds estimated at 93 mph. The first tornado occurred along Blanchard Furrh Road, while the second was in the North Highlands area of North Shreveport. No conclusive evidence of a tornado track was found in Bossier Parish, and further damage surveys are planned across the area over the coming day, according to the National Weather Service in Shreveport.
Restoration efforts continued into the night in many areas until wind gusts rendered bucket trucks unsafe for line workers to continue working.
ASSESSING THE DAMAGE
Damage assessors have identified extensive damage across the three states, with widespread downed power lines and fallen trees impacting many communities. Our hardworking crews are focused on restoring service as quickly and safely as they can.
Damage assessment continues in areas impacted from Tuesday evening’s high winds, which may result in extensive repairs requiring specialized equipment or crews that affect listed restoration times.
To help with this effort, Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) is lending a hand in East Texas, and Fayetteville crews are stepping in to assist in Natchitoches, Many and Hornbeck, ensuring that we get power back to our customers as soon as possible.
As we get more specific information, updates will be forthcoming.
RESTORATION UPDATES
Following damage assessments, the restoration estimate for 95% of customers who can receive power in areas impacted by the storm is 10 p.m. today.
Power could be restored sooner. Restoration times will be updated as crews continue working to restore power.
Severe wind gusts moved through the Longview area Tuesday evening causing additional damage that led to outages and impacted initial restoration estimates.
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.