SWEPCO has activated its storm response following extreme weather, which may have included three tornadoes, that caused considerable damage in Northwest Arkansas.
The first step in the restoration process is to assess the damage after a storm. SWEPCO damage assessors are being deployed to look for downed power poles, wires, damaged transformers and other electrical equipment.
Needed for restoring power
These highly trained employees work to select the specialized tools, teams or identify anything else
These highly trained employees work to determine the specialized equipment, teams or identify anything else that will be needed for restoring power.
Part of their planning is to also quickly evaluate any other issues that may impact the restoration work. This work is a vital first step to efficient and safe storm repairs.
SWEPCO’s service territory
Early assessments show severe damage throughout the northern part of SWEPCO’s service territory with downed trees, damaging debris that snapped approximately 300 utility poles and damaged spans of wire. Due to significant damage, customers should prepare for extended outages as crews work as quickly and as safely as possible.
Additional tree and line worker crews are being dispatched from across SWEPCO’s service territory and sister utilities in Oklahoma to aid in the restoration effort and SWEPCO.
Possible from downed wires
Customers are urged to stay as far away as possible from downed wires and anything
Customers are urged to 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.
The weather remains unstable throughout the area, and customers should remain weather-aware.
By the numbers
As of 1 p.m., Sunday, approximately 14,948 customers are without power from the storms that brought strong winds, downed trees and snapped more than 300 utility poles and damaged several hundred spans of electrical wire.
Estimated times of restoration will be made available once assessors have completed their work. When a storm causes the power to go out, assessors ensure the right crew, the right equipment, and the right location are accurate to safely and as quickly as possible restore service to customers.