SWEPCO Crews Working to Restore Power Following Tuesday Storms
Ongoing efforts have restored service to approximately 11K Texas customers.
What You Need to Know
- Storms that rolled through SWEPCO’s three-state territory Tuesday caused significant damage in East Texas, Central Louisiana and slowed restoration progress in Northwest Arkansas, which was struck by severe weather that produced tornadoes over the weekend.
- As of 8 p.m. Tuesday, crews have successfully restored power to 11,000 Texas customers. At peak, approximately 19,000 customers were without power in Texas.
- The estimated time of restoration for 95 percent of customers who can receive power in Longview and its surrounding areas is 10 p.m. Friday, May 31. Power could be restored sooner.
- SWEPCO has requested additional utility professionals to aid in restoration efforts in East Texas with many already enroute.
- Across state lines, approximately 1,700 Louisiana customers remain without power with the majority of those in Hornbeck and its surrounding areas. Approximately 95% of customers who can receive power in the Hornbeck and surrounding areas of Central Louisiana should be restored by 3 p.m. Thursday, May 30.
- With continued severe weather and scattered thunderstorms forecast across SWEPCO’s service territory, customers are encouraged to stay weather aware and alert for possible delays.
CURRENT SITUATION
Powerful storms that rolled through SWEPCO’s three-state territory Tuesday caused significant damage in East Texas and Central Louisiana and slowed restoration progress in Northwest Arkansas, which was struck by severe weather that produced tornadoes over the weekend.
In addition to Longview, some areas impacted in East Texas include Henderson, New London, and Mineola. Across state lines, in central Louisiana, Many, Toledo Town, Hornbeck and Hicks also experienced significant damage to the energy delivery system due to the strong winds. Customers should remain weather aware as there are storms predicted throughout the week across SWEPCO’s entire three-state service territory.
Estimated Times of Restoration
- Approximately 95% of customers who can receive power in the Hornbeck and surrounding areas of Central Louisiana should be restored by 3 p.m. Thursday, May 30.
- Approximately 95% of customers who can receive power in the Longview and surrounding areas of East Texas should be restored by 10 p.m. Friday, May 31.
As of 8 p.m. Tuesday, approximately 8,000 Texas customers are without power in Texas and 1,700 in Louisiana.
SWEPCO has requested help from other utilities and contractors to aid in restoration effort with many already enroute.
GET RESTORATION UPDATES
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.