Work Continues Amid Severe Weather | Update #5 ArkLaTex Storms (2024)

What You Need to Know

• Overnight storms swept through the ArkLaTex on Sunday causing additional damage to SWEPCO's energy delivery system, which resulted in additional outages.
• Work continues with SWEPCO focused on identifying and assessing damage to ensure the right crews and equipment are coordinated for a speedy response. Preliminary assessments show multiple trees lines and damaged infrastructure. Transmission teams are responding, and patrols are underway. As work is completed in east Texas, crews will be redeployed to Louisiana to aid in ongoing restoration work there.
• The most recent wave of storms first swept through the ArkLaTex late Thursday included three confirmed EF1 tornadoes. New storms emerged on Friday with more damaging winds and rain followed by a third blow to the region on Saturday. The fourth weather system returned late Sunday and downed more trees (many that were outside SWEPCO’s right of ways), flooded areas and damaged energy infrastructure.
• Estimated restoration times have changed due to the latest weather round with some areas of Louisiana and Texas expected to be restored today, June 3 and others Tuesday, June 4, weather permitting.See below for specific regional estimates for 95 percent of customers who can receive power.
• Customers are urged to stay away from downed wires and anything they may be touching. Call 911 to report any hazards or call SWEPCO immediately at (888) 218-3919.
• Another area of severe thunderstorms has fired up west of Arkansas and is expected to take aim at SWEPCO’s service territory this afternoon through the evening. A line of severe thunderstorms is expected with widespread 60-80 mph winds (see maps below), which could lead to significant utility problems. Customers are advised to stay weather aware.

• SWEPCO remains committed to rebuilding and restoring all our customers as safely and as quickly as possible. Despite the setback, SWEPCO remains united in our purpose to get the lights back on as quickly and safely as possible. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work to rebuild following this significant storm.Learn moreabout our restoration process.

CURRENT SITUATION

SWEPCO’s ArkLaTex storm response, which included hundreds of utility professionals deployed to hardest hit areas, was nearly complete late Sunday when yet another round of storms slowed progress and created new outages.

The ArkLaTex has experienced tornadoes, heavy storms and significant rainfall in recent days. The relentless multi-day storm has swamped an already overly saturated terrain. As a result, damaged trees and loosened roots could cause more trees to be vulnerable to wind gusts. Dangerous weather can slow restoration.

Another area of severe thunderstorms has fired up in south-central Kansas and northwestern Oklahoma and is expected to take aim at SWEPCO’s service territory this afternoon through this evening. A line of severe thunderstorms is expected with widespread 60-80 mph wind gusts, which could lead to significant utility problems. Customers are advised to stay weather aware.

SWEPCO remains committed to rebuilding and restoring all our customers as safely and as quickly as possible. Despite the setback, SWEPCO remains united in our purpose to get the lights back on as quickly and safely as possible. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work to rebuild following this significant storm.Learn moreabout our restoration process.

ESTIMATED TIME OF RESTORATION

SWEPCO has provided estimated restoration times for areas impacted by the storm. However, service could be restored sooner. Customers who signed up for email or text alerts could receive direct updates on the estimated restoration time at their home or business as crews continue working to restore power. To sign up to receive your personalized restoration update, visit swepco.com.

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 YOU RECEIVE POWER?

Now is the time for customers to determine whether their home 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 inEnglish&Spanish.

Learn how to identify weatherhead damages by watching this video.ENGLISH|SPANISH

GET RESTORATION UPDATES

By enrolling in our alerts atSWEPCO.com/Alerts, customers get updated restoration information. When our crews arrive on individual work sites, a more precise restoration time for the affected group of customers will be updated in our system and communicated through alerts if the customers have signed up to receive our notifications by phone or email. Updated information can also be found atSWEPCO.com/OutageMap.

Enroll in our alerts atSWEPCO.com/Alerts

POST-STORM SAFETY TIPS

Find post-storm safety tips: https://www.swepco.com/safety/

Report outages: Report outages: SWEPCO.com/outage

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What should customers do if they see downed lines?

Don't touch it or anything near it. Even telephone or cable lines can become energized. Keep yourself and others as far away as possible and call 911 or SWEPCO immediately at (888) 218-3919.

STAYING CONNECTED

• Download the SWEPCO mobile app: SWEPCO.com/app
• Follow SWEPCO on Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram and YouTube
• Make sure we have your most recent contact information at swepco.com/account/

NEXT UPDATE

We will continue to keep you informed as more information becomes available. Updates will be provided at SWEPCO.com and other communication channels.