In anticipation of Hurricane Beryl, Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) is mobilizing to support AEP Texas. As Beryl, currently a tropical storm, approaches the mid-Texas coast, the National Hurricane Center predicts it will intensify to hurricane status by Monday. The looming storm threatens to bring heavy rainfall, flooding, potential tornadoes, and strong winds as it makes its way inland across Texas.
SWEPCO Deploys Crews for Support
A significant contingent of SWEPCO personnel, comprising 98 employees and 32 contractors, is headed toward coastal Texas. They will collaborate with a large assembly of line crews, engineers, forestry, and other utility experts at a mobile command center set up to manage the hurricane response. Amanda Keeney, SWEPCO's Corporate Communications Director, noted the early start for many crews, who departed before dawn. She stated, "Today’s job site will be outside SWEPCO’s service territory where SWEPCO teams will offer mutual assistance to AEP Texas."
Commitment to Reliable Energy
Cooperation among utilities is vital in securing swift recovery after severe weather events. This collaboration highlights a unified commitment to maintaining safe and reliable energy supplies for affected areas. Todd Nottingham, District Project Support Supervisor, affirmed, "Our team is committed to providing support wherever it’s needed, and we’re proud to assist AEP Texas in their efforts to restore power in the wake of this hurricane."
Beryl's Anticipated Impact
The joint efforts are expected to ease and quicken the power restoration process following Beryl's impacts. Drew Seidel, Vice President, Distribution Region Operations, expressed the company's dedication to aiding AEP Texas, stating, "We are proud to help AEP Texas ensure Texans have power restored as safely and quickly as possible." He added, "We’re sending our thoughts to Texans everywhere as they brace for the impacts from Beryl." Seidel emphasized the importance of mutual assistance, a fundamental principle in the electrical utility sector, especially during challenging times.
Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) is lending a helping hand to their sister utility company, AEP Texas, in preparation for Beryl’s landfall on Monday.
According to the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Beryl is expected to intensify and make landfall along the mid-Texas coast as a hurricane on Monday. Hurricane impacts could include heavy rainfall, flooding, potential tornadoes, and damaging winds as the system moves inland across the state.
SWEPCO’s service territory
98 SWEPCO employees and 32 contractors are headed to coastal Texas where’ll they’ll join thousands of line crew
Currently, 98 SWEPCO employees and 32 contractors are headed to coastal Texas where’ll they’ll join thousands of line crew, engineering, forestry and other utility professionals assembling at a mobile command center where they’ll assist with hurricane response efforts in Texas.
“Long before sunrise, many SWEPCO crews could be found saying their goodbyes, hugging their families, grabbing their gear and heading off to work,” said Amanda Keeney, SWEPCO Corporate Communications Director, adding “Today’s job site will be outside SWEPCO’s service territory where SWEPCO teams will offer mutual assistance to AEP Texas.”
Safe and dependable energy
Collaboration is key to ensuring swift recovery after a storm. This joint effort highlights the shared commitment to delivering safe and dependable energy to the communities they serve.
"Our team is committed to providing support wherever it’s needed, and we’re proud to assist AEP Texas in their efforts to restore power in the wake of this hurricane," said Todd Nottingham, District Project Support Supervisor.
By pooling resources and expertise, they are better equipped to respond to challenges, and to restore power quickly and efficiently.
Impacts from Beryl
"We are proud to help AEP Texas ensure Texans have power restored as safely and quickly as possible," said Drew Seidel, VP, Distribution Region Operations.
He adds, "We’re sending our thoughts to Texans everywhere as they brace for the impacts from Beryl. Just as AEP Texas and others have been there for us, we are honored to offer help to our neighbors in need as mutual assistance is a hallmark of our industry."
