Local power companies are ready for widespread power outages they expect today in the path of the tropical storm generated by Hurricane Laura.
Nearly 2,300 workers from 14 states and Canada will join with 400 Southwestern Electric Power Company employees to handle outages, said SWEPCO Spokesman Peter Main.
Strong winds and heavy rain are in store for Northwest and Central Louisiana, East Texas and Southwest Arkansas today. Texarkana is in the path of this weather front.
Hurricane Laura has the potential to damage the power grid extensively, said Drew Seidel, SWEPCO Vice president of distribution region operations. "We will work as safely and as quickly as possible to get the lights back on. However, we expect it could take multiple days for power to be restored," he said.
Incoming workers will operate from staging areas in Shreveport-Bossier; Hornbeck, Louisiana; and Longview, Texas.
"As soon as the storm passes, we'll start clearing immediate hazards, such as downed power lines, and begin assessing damage," Seidel said.
Priority will be given to essential public health and safety facilities such as hospitals, police and fire stations. Then workers will repair major power lines that restore power to the largest number of customers in the shortest time. Crews will fix power lines and equipment that serve multiple customers, and individual service lines to homes and businesses.
SWEPCO is urging customers who are on life support systems or need uninterrupted electric service for health reasons to make alternate arrangements in preparation for potential power outages.
Customers should assume any downed utility line is energized. Stay away and keep children and pets away from downed lines. Call 1-888-218-3919 to report downed lines to SWEPCO.
Southwest Arkansas Electric Cooperative is also prepared to deal with power outages, according to a spokesman, and, based on mutual aid agreements, may call for support from state and national organizations from outside the region if more crews are needed.
How to report and track outages:
Log on to SWEPCO.com to report an outage and to sign up for text and email updates, including an estimated time of restoration.
Use the SWEPCO app, available for download via the App Store or Google Play.
Call 1-888-218-3919 to report an outage.
Visit SWEPCO.com/OutageMap to find detailed information without logging into your account.
REA customers can go to swrea.com online or report an outage by calling 888-265-2743.
Bowie Cass Electric customers can go to bcec.com online.
Power companies suggest every home should have an emergency outage kit that includes, at a minimum, the following items:
Flashlights and batteries
Battery-powered radios or televisions,
candles, matches, or lighters
water for drinking and cooking
Non-perishable food and a manual can opener