Beryl made landfall and left millions of Texans without power, including about 14,000 SWEPCO customers in Texas, primarily in the Longview region. Its path of destruction continued into the ArkLaTex and, sadly, claimed the life of a Louisiana resident, according to the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Beryl’s arrival into the ArkLaTex region fueled a warm and unstable atmosphere and churned more than 67 active tornado warnings, a National Weather Service record, across the area, with many in SWEPCO’s service territory.
Impacts on its energy delivery system
SWEPCO sustained impacts on its energy delivery system and distribution networks with homes
Due to the extreme weather, SWEPCO sustained impacts on its energy delivery system and distribution networks with homes, businesses damaged, roofs removed, trees downed, and power lines snapped.
As a result of the significant impacts, additional outages could occur until SWEPCO’s transmission system is stabilized. Customers should prepare to be without service for an extended period. Flooding from the storm makes restoration efforts more complex and could add additional complexities and time to restoration efforts.
Restoration Process
When a major storm rips through the service area, everyone helps. Often unnoticed are the employees who take on the role of damage assessor. The first step in the restoration process is to assess the damage after a storm. Damage assessors look for downed power poles and wires, damaged transformers and other electrical equipment.
These highly trained employees go out first to look at the damage and help determine what type of crew and what equipment is needed for restoring power for affected customers.
SWEPCO works to restore power
During outages, SWEPCO works to restore power as safely and quickly as possible
Assessors also evaluate any other issues that may impact the restoration work. During outages, SWEPCO works to restore power as safely and quickly as possible.
In every storm restoration plan, they implement a basic process. Special priority is given to reported hazards such as downed power lines, 911 agency calls, and emergency facilities such as fire and police stations.
SWEPCO's customers’ electric service
In restoring customers’ electric service, SWEPCO works on main lines, or circuits that will restore the largest number of customers in the shortest period of time. A main line feeds power to thousands of homes and is the source of power for secondary and service drop lines.
After the main lines are restored, power lines that serve smaller clusters of homes are repaired. Finally, lines that feed service drops to individual homes are repaired. As assessors identify ALL repairs needed, estimated restoration times will be forthcoming.
