Winter Storm Cora Leaves Thousands in ArkLaTex Without Power

News Summary

Winter Storm Cora has caused widespread power outages across the ArkLaTex region, affecting over 30,000 customers. With significant ice accumulation and restoration efforts underway, SWEPCO provides updates on expected timelines and community support. Many areas, especially in Arkansas, face the brunt of the storm’s impact, with local utilities mobilizing teams to restore services.

Winter Storm Cora Leaves Thousands Without Power in ArkLaTex

Mount Pleasant, Texas – As the lingering effects of Winter Storm Cora continue to make their mark, SWEPCO has rolled out revised estimates for power restoration across its service areas. The powerful storm led to significant icing, causing widespread outages that affected over 30,000 customers throughout the ArkLaTex region. By the morning of January 10, more than 34,684 outages were recorded, peaking at 36,823 earlier in the day.

Understanding the Impact of the Storm

The ice accumulation from the recent winter storm was substantial, with less than half an inch of ice adding around 500 pounds to power lines, equivalent to the weight of a small grizzly bear! Most of the outages were reported in Arkansas, particularly in and around Texarkana, where around 23,000 customers found themselves in the dark. The storm didn’t just affect Arkansas – it knocked out power for 12,264 customers in Texas and a few hundred in Louisiana.

Timeline for Restoration

As of 10:01 a.m. on January 11, SWEPCO has communicated its commitment to restoring services as quickly and efficiently as possible. Power is expected to return for residents in Mount Pleasant, Texas by 10 p.m. on January 11. Meanwhile, those in the Texarkana area—including communities like Ashdown, De Queen, and Nashville—can expect to have their electricity back on by 10 a.m. on January 12. On January 9, residents in the Vivian area—close to 1,300 customers—experienced outages as well.

Emergency Plans and Community Efforts

SWEPCO is truly thankful for the patience shown by its customers during this challenging time. The company has mobilized over 1,000 tree and utility personnel, who are working diligently to restore power to affected zones. As they tackle this hefty task, they also emphasize the importance of having a backup plan for those who rely on medical equipment. With cold temperatures and unpredictable weather, it’s more important than ever for customers to be prepared for prolonged outages.

Areas Most Affected

When diving deeper into the numbers, we see that the majority of outages have been clustered in specific areas. In Arkansas, Miller County bore the brunt, while Louisiana’s impacts were felt heavily in Bossier and Caddo parishes. Texas residents also faced hurdles, especially in counties like Bowie, Cass, and Titus.

Staying Informed and Staying Safe

For those looking to stay updated, SWEPCO has some great resources available on its website. Customers can easily sign up for outage alerts and discover valuable safety tips to navigate challenging situations like this. Whether it’s stocking up on supplies or knowing when to check in with neighbors, being prepared makes all the difference.

As more updates are expected for those bracing against the effects of Winter Storm Cora, SWEPCO reassures its dedication to restoring power and maintaining communication with its customers. While it’s still a waiting game for many, hope remains bright for a return to normalcy across the region.