A large-scale reconstruction is in progress in the storm-impacted regions of Northwest Arkansas. Essential repairs involve the removal of hundreds of fallen trees to safely access over 500 specific work sites.
This includes replacing around 400 utility poles, restringing over eight miles of electrical wire, and installing more than 75 transformers. The restoration work is complex, which may delay the full restoration of power for some residents. To support these efforts, SWEPCO has expanded its team, deploying nearly 700 additional personnel for tree clearing, line work, and crew operations.
National Guard Supports Recovery Efforts
In support of the statewide recovery, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has authorized the deployment of the National Guard.
The troops will assist SWEPCO by managing flagging and traffic control to ensure safety. Residents are advised to avoid work areas, adhere to flagged or coned zones, and keep a safe distance from crews working on repairs.
Power Restoration Timeline
Customers are advised to assess whether their property is prepared to receive power
For residents of the Monte Ne area and those west of U.S. Hwy 71 B in Rogers who can receive power, the current expectation is to restore electricity by 10 p.m. on Sunday, June 2, weather permitting.
For all other customers, the goal is to have power restored by 10 p.m. on Friday, May 31. However, isolated areas requiring extensive repairs may experience further delays, especially if adverse weather conditions persist, affecting SWEPCO’s three-state service area.
Action Required for Customers
Customers are advised to assess whether their property is prepared to receive power.
SWEPCO will not reconnect power to homes or businesses with damage to the service entrance, which is the customer's responsibility. It is imperative that any necessary repairs are conducted by a licensed electrician before power can be safely restored.
A massive rebuilding effort is underway in the storm ravaged communities of Northwest Arkansas. Repairs, which include clearing hundreds of downed trees to safely access more than 500 unique work locations, replacing approximately 400 broken utility poles, restringing more than 8 miles of electrical wire; replacing more than 75 transformers, and more, continue.
Restoration work in the area includes complex repairs. As a result, it could take time to get everyone’s power restored. To aid the effort, SWEPCO has called in additional resources and has grown its response to nearly 700 additional tree, line and crew responders.
Nation Guard to assist
Meanwhile, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has authorized the National Guard to assist in the state’s recovery and provide troops to assist SWEPCO 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.
The current restoration estimate 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.
Further delay
Restoration times may extend further in isolated instances where extensive repairs are needed, or if weather prevents the crews from working safely. Customers should remain weather aware as there are storms predicted throughout the week across SWEPCO’s entire three-state service territory.
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.
