Winter Storm Cora continued its sweep of the South and brought a mix of winter weather throughout SWEPCO’s service territory.
At peak at 3:55 a.m., 36,823 outages were reported across the three-state service territory. The majority of weather-related outages were reported in Arkansas (about 23,000) in what is SWEPCO’s service region of Texarkana and surrounding areas.
Appreciation to first responders
The icing event, as predicted, delivered an icy blow, and SWEPCO is committed to getting the power back. No more than a ½ inch of ice increases the weight of a span of powerlines between poles by up to 500lbs, which is roughly equal to the weight of a grizzly bear on the lines.
The team is dedicated to service and committed to assisting the customers
The team is dedicated to service and committed to assisting the customers. They extend their appreciation to first responders and elected officials for their collaboration.
They are thankful for the customers’ patience as the personnel work diligently and safely in challenging conditions, including extreme temperatures, as they are assessing each unique damage location and, where possible, restoring power.
SWEPCO crews
The Texarkana region is not unfamiliar to ice storms. The region recovered from significant icing events in 2000 and 2009, and SWEPCO crews are committed to their work to repower every customer.
From the company’s power plants to its line and utility professionals, winter weather protocols are in place, and SWEPCO is prepared to respond as quickly and as safely as possible.
SWEPCO’s full-time staff
They encourage customers to be cautious on the roads, which pose a risk and may delay travel for crews to reach needed repairs. Additionally, as trees continue to weaken from weight, please exercise extreme caution.
In addition to SWEPCO’s full-time staff, more than 1,000 tree and other utility personnel have been activated from across the region and neighboring states to help, and the company has secured additional resources to assist with the hardest hit areas once damage assessment has been done.
Safety Reminders
Remember the following safety guidelines as the storm moves closer to the area in the coming days:
- All downed power lines should be considered energized and dangerous. Do not touch anything in contact with the line, such as trees, fences, or puddles of water. Keep children and pets inside during and after the storm. Stay at least ten feet away from any downed power line.
- If they plan to use a portable generator, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Customers on life support systems or other medical equipment that relies on electricity should have a solid backup plan for areas where prolonged outages may occur.
SWEPCO tools and resources
SWEPCO will issue updates and customers should sign up for outage alerts to receive helpful information. For more storm safety tips, and suggestions about what to do before, during, and after a storm, please visit SWEPCO.com/Safety.
Additionally, for customers concerned about winter heating costs, SWEPCO has tools and resources available at SWEPCO.com/billhelp, and the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program can offer aid to income-qualified residents. Winter heating applications are being accepted in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas.
Use the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) Service to connect to the local LIHEAP office and find other available resources.
