SHREVEPORT, La. – As potentially dangerous winter weather approaches the ArkLaTex, Southwestern Electric Power Co. officials say crews are prepared while urging customers to plan for possible power outages.
Brooke Rinaudo, a SWEPCO communications representative, said the company has strengthened the grids since the 2021 winter freeze.
“Ice remains the biggest threat,” Rinaudo said. “Just a half inch of ice on power lines can add about 500 pounds of weight between poles, increasing the risk of outages."
SWEPCO crews and power plants operate 24/7 during winter storms when conditions are safe, working to restore power as quickly as possible. Customers are encouraged to prepare with blankets, flashlights and alternative heat sources.
Residents can stay informed by downloading the SWEPCO app, which provides outage alerts and restoration estimates, or by checking the utility’s online outage map.
“We’re ready, and we want our customers to be ready too,” Rinaudo said.
Additionally, residents can keep up with the weather in real time by downloading the KTBS Mega3 weather app.