SWEPCO has initiated its storm response in the wake of severe weather, including potential tornadoes, which have led to substantial damage in Northwest Arkansas. The company's immediate priority is to assess the extent of damage to its infrastructure, a crucial first step in returning power to affected areas.
Damage Assessment Underway
To kick-start the restoration process, SWEPCO is deploying damage assessors to canvass the region for downed power poles, wires, and damaged transformers, amongst other essential electrical equipment. These expert teams are tasked with identifying the necessary specialized equipment and crews required for power restoration. Quick evaluation of additional complications that could impact restoration efforts is also part of their crucial role, ensuring repairs are conducted efficiently and safely.
Extent of the Damage
Preliminary evaluations indicate significant damage across the northern part of SWEPCO’s service area, caused by downed trees and debris that have broken approximately 300 utility poles and damaged many stretches of electrical wire. Given the extensive damage, customers should brace for prolonged outages as crews endeavor to restore power swiftly and safely. Additional personnel, including tree and line workers, are being dispatched from across SWEPCO’s service area and partnering utilities in Oklahoma to support the restoration efforts.
Safety and Precautionary Measures
Customers are strongly advised to maintain a safe distance from downed power lines and any objects in contact with them. Any hazards should be reported to 911 or SWEPCO immediately at (888) 218-3919. As weather conditions remain volatile throughout the area, staying weather-aware is imperative.
Restoration by the Numbers
As of 1 p.m. on Sunday, the storms have left approximately 14,948 customers without power, torn down trees, and shattered over 300 utility poles, also damaging several hundred spans of electrical wires. Estimated restoration times will be communicated after damage assessors complete their evaluations. Ensuring accuracy in the deployment of crews, equipment, and efforts is vital to restoring electrical service as safely and efficiently as possible.
SWEPCO has activated its storm response following extreme weather, which may have included three tornadoes, that caused considerable damage in Northwest Arkansas.
The first step in the restoration process is to assess the damage after a storm. SWEPCO damage assessors are being deployed to look for downed power poles, wires, damaged transformers and other electrical equipment.
Needed for restoring power
These highly trained employees work to select the specialized tools, teams or identify anything else
These highly trained employees work to determine the specialized equipment, teams or identify anything else that will be needed for restoring power.
Part of their planning is to also quickly evaluate any other issues that may impact the restoration work. This work is a vital first step to efficient and safe storm repairs.
SWEPCO’s service territory
Early assessments show severe damage throughout the northern part of SWEPCO’s service territory with downed trees, damaging debris that snapped approximately 300 utility poles and damaged spans of wire. Due to significant damage, customers should prepare for extended outages as crews work as quickly and as safely as possible.
Additional tree and line worker crews are being dispatched from across SWEPCO’s service territory and sister utilities in Oklahoma to aid in the restoration effort and SWEPCO.
Possible from downed wires
Customers are urged to stay as far away as possible from downed wires and anything
Customers are urged to 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.
The weather remains unstable throughout the area, and customers should remain weather-aware.
By the numbers
As of 1 p.m., Sunday, approximately 14,948 customers are without power from the storms that brought strong winds, downed trees and snapped more than 300 utility poles and damaged several hundred spans of electrical wire.
Estimated times of restoration will be made available once assessors have completed their work. When a storm causes the power to go out, assessors ensure the right crew, the right equipment, and the right location are accurate to safely and as quickly as possible restore service to customers.
