Following a spate of severe weather, Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) crews are actively engaged in restoring electricity across the ArkLaTex region. The storms, which swept through last night, primarily impacted areas such as Shreveport, situated south of Interstate 20, and southern Bossier Parish.
Restoration Efforts in Full Swing
SWEPCO crews are tackling the aftermath of the storms, which brought with them high winds, hail, and severe flooding. These conditions have created a challenging environment for restoration work, potentially prolonging the timeline for power restoration.
Power Outage and Restoration Timeline
As of 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, approximately 5,000 customers are still without power. At the height of the storm, the number of affected SWEPCO customers reached about 16,800. While power restoration is underway, SWEPCO has released estimated times for most of the affected locations:
- Bossier City: Estimated to be restored by 10:00 p.m. on May 23
- Vivian: Estimated to be restored by 10:00 p.m. on May 23
- Plain Dealing: Estimated to be restored by 10:00 p.m. on May 23
- Shreveport: Estimated to be restored by 5:00 p.m. on May 24
- Haughton: Estimated to be restored by 5:00 p.m. on May 24
Safety Precautions in Storm Aftermath
SWEPCO advises extreme caution around downed wires, urging individuals to maintain a safe distance from them and anything they contact. Such hazards should be promptly reported to 911 or SWEPCO at (888) 218-3919.
When dealing with storm debris, caution is urged as tree limbs and other debris can obscure downed power lines. People are advised not to remove any debris within a 10-foot radius of power lines. Those using generators should strictly adhere to the manufacturer's safety guidelines.
