A recent severe weather outbreak across the central United States has caused substantial damage, with strong winds and tornadoes impacting the ArkLaTex region and particularly affecting SWEPCO customers.
The National Weather Service has confirmed that six tornadoes, with wind speeds between 85 and 100 mph, swept through the Four States Region, with four of these touching down in areas served by SWEPCO. The storms and extensive rainfall have necessitated repairs in both residential areas and more challenging terrains.
Efforts Underway to Restore Power
SWEPCO has deployed specialized track equipment and coordinated ground, air, and water support to access hard-hit areas. Approximately 1,200 utility workers, including lineworkers and tree crews from five states, are actively working on restoring power.
SWEPCO has deployed specialized track equipment and coordinated ground, air, and water support
A significant milestone in their efforts was reached by Tuesday, with SWEPCO planning further updates on restoration times as progress continues. Initially, around 61,000 customers were left without electricity, but as of 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, service has been restored to about 50,115 customers, with all hospitals and critical care facilities back online.
Challenges and Estimated Restoration Times
Due to the considerable damage to both transmission and distribution systems, residents should brace themselves for prolonged outages, and there remains a possibility of recurrence while repairs are underway.
SWEPCO has developed a Global Estimated Time of Restoration (ETR) to anticipate when 95% of those affected will have their power restored. The greater the damage, the longer it may take to return services to normal, with current estimates for full restoration expected by:
- 10 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, in Marshall, Carthage, and Mt Pleasant, Texas
- 10 p.m. Tuesday, April 3,0 in Hornbeck, Louisiana
- 10 p.m. Wednesday, May ,1 in Shreveport and Bossier, Louisiana
The concerted effort by SWEPCO and regional crews exemplifies the dedication to overcoming obstacles posed by the severe weather, ensuring the prompt return of services where possible.
A damaging outbreak of severe weather across the nation’s heartland, toppled trees, snapped lines and disrupted power to SWEPCO customers across the ArkLaTex region.
Recently, the National Weather Service’s storm survey team confirmed the severe storms included six tornadoes that barreled through the Four States Region. Four tornadoes were confirmed within SWEPCO’s service territory with peak wind gusts estimated between 85 - 100 mph.
With the storm impacts and recent significant rainfall, repairs are required not only in residential areas but also in hard-to-reach, sometimes treacherous terrain.
Crew response
As part of the crew response, specialized track equipment has been brought in to access damaged areas
As part of the crew response, specialized track equipment has been brought in to access damaged areas and teams have also leveraged resources on the ground, in the air and on boats so SWEPCO could make their way to where the work needed to be done.
Powering the response: Work continues. Approximately 1,200 utility workers, including lineworkers and tree crews, have made their way from five states to offer help. The team expects another big push towards restoring customers will be accomplished Tuesday. As that work progresses, SWEPCO will share any potential restoration time updates.
At peak, approximately 61,000 SWEPCO customers were without power. As of Tuesday, at 9:00 a.m., power has been restored to roughly 50,115 customers. All hospitals and critical care facilities are online.
Extended power outages
Because of excessive damage to electrical equipment, including transmission and distribution systems, SWEPCO customers should prepare for extended power outages and in some cases additional outages could occur as SWEPCO repairs damage to their system.
Based on the number of outages and crews available, SWEPCO develops a Global Estimated Time of Restoration or ETR, which is an estimate of how long it will take to restore 95% of all customers affected. The more damage there is to the system, the further out in time the global ETR will be.
Latest restoration times include the following:
- Marshall, Carthage, and Mt Pleasant, Texas – 10 p.m. Tuesday, April 30
- Hornbeck, La. – 10 p.m. Tuesday, April 30
- Shreveport and Bossier, La. – 10 p.m. Wednesday, May 1
