Work proceeds vigorously as residents of the ArkLaTex region strive to recover from another severe weather event that struck late Thursday, causing extensive damage.
Texas faces significant challenges in the heavily wooded and flooded areas around Henderson and Kilgore, where special track equipment is necessary to reach repair sites.
SWEPCO's Challenges Across Territories
Central Louisiana experiences similar difficulties with numerous inaccessible or arduous work sites. Repairs near Toledo Bend might need to be conducted from the water.
The persistent rainfall throughout the month has left the ground saturated, making tree falls more likely, even with minimal winds, potentially leading to new outages. With significant multi-day storms expected across SWEPCO’s three-state service area, customers are urged to stay weather conscious and patient as restoration efforts unfold.
Efforts to Restore Power
To bolster recovery efforts, an additional 116 line crews are en route from Houston, Texas, to assist in restoring power efficiently and safely. Restoration timelines estimate that 95 percent of power will be restored as follows:
- Louisiana - Shreveport and Mansfield areas: By 8 p.m. Friday
- Louisiana - Hornbeck and Natchitoches areas: By 10 p.m. Sunday
- Texas - Henderson, Marshall, Longview, and Carthage areas: By 10 p.m. Sunday
Post-Storm Safety Recommendations
Residents are advised to maintain a safe distance from downed wires and anything in contact with them. Immediate hazards should be reported to 911 or to SWEPCO at (888) 218-3919.
Clearing debris requires caution, as tree limbs and other objects may conceal downed wires. Avoid removing any debris within 10 feet of power lines, and adhere to generator usage guidelines provided by manufacturers.
Checking Power Restoration Readiness
Customers need to assess their properties to ensure they can receive power. Power cannot be restored if the customer-owned service entrance is damaged. A licensed electrician must address any damage before SWEPCO can reconnect power. Customers can refer to a flyer available in English and Spanish for more information.
Work continues after severe weather delivered another blow late Thursday to storm-weary residents of the ArkLaTex.
In Texas, there is significant damage in heavily wooded and flooded areas of Henderson and Kilgore, which will require specialized track equipment to access sites for repairs.
SWEPCO’s entire territory
The scene is similar in central Louisiana with several inaccessible or hard-to-reach work sites, including some repairs near Toledo Bend that may need to be done from the water.
With significant rainfall amounts throughout the month, the ground is extremely saturated
With significant rainfall amounts throughout the month, the ground is extremely saturated, which can make even a slight wind cause trees to fall from outside the right-of-ways and potentially create new outages.
Significant multi-day storms are forecast for SWEPCO’s entire three-state service territory. Customers are advised to remain weather aware. They appreciate everyone’s patience as they work to rebuild following this significant storm.
Crew support
An additional 116 line crews have been dispatched and are enroute from Houston, Texas to assist with the efforts to restore service to communities as safely and quickly as possible. They estimate power will be restored to 95 percent of customers by these times:
Louisiana
- 8 p.m. Friday
- Shreveport area
- Mansfield area
- 10 p.m. Sunday
- Hornbeck area
- Natchitoches area
Texas
- 10 p.m. Sunday
- Henderson area
- Marshall area
- Longview area
- Carthage area
Post-storm safety tips
- Stay as far away as possible from downed wires and anything they may be touching. Call 911 to report any hazards or call SWEPCO immediately at (888) 218-3919.
- Carefully investigate before cleaning up any debris. Tree limbs, leaves and other objects moved by the wind could hide downed wires.
- Do not attempt to remove tree limbs or debris within 10 feet of a power line.
- If using a generator, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Can they receive power?
Now is the time for customers to determine whether their homes 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. Click for a flyer in English & Spanish.
