SHREVEPORT, La., Aug. 27, 2021 – Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) advises customers in Central Louisiana to prepare now for Hurricane Ida.
"Based on current forecasts, we anticipate that parts of our Louisiana service territory – especially south of Natchitoches to the Leesville area – could be impacted by Hurricane Ida, " said Drew Seidel, SWEPCO vice president of Distribution Region Operations. "We are tracking the storm, preparing to respond, and urging our customers to be prepared for the possibility of power outages."
Customers who are on life support systems or need uninterrupted electric service for health reasons should make alternate arrangements in preparation for potential power outages.
Storm preparation tips:
1. Plan ahead
Develop a plan for you and your family. Identify a safe area, and decide now what you'll do if there's an extended power outage. Be sure to contact family, friends, neighbors with young children, the elderly or people with medical conditions to ensure they also have a plan. If you or a family member relies on uninterrupted electric service for health reasons, make a plan now in case there are extended outages.
2. Create an emergency kit
Get ahead of storms by putting together an emergency preparedness kit that includes:
- Flashlights and fresh batteries
- Battery-powered radios or televisions
- Candles, matches or lighters
- Water for drinking and cooking
- Camping equipment like sleeping bags, camp stoves and lanterns
- Non-perishable food and a manual can opener
- Important medicines (prescription and over-the-counter) and medical supplies
- Supplies for babies and pets
- First aid kit
- Masks, soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes
- Manufacturers' instructions for your generator (if you have one)
- Instructions for how to manually open your garage door
- For additional information, visit:
3. Be safe
- Caution! – Always use caution with any alternate sources of lighting, cooking, cooling or heating. Never operate lanterns, heaters, generators, fuel-fired stoves or burn charcoal without proper ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and fires.
- Portable generator safety – If you use a portable or RV generator, do not plug the generator into your home's main electrical panel. This can "back-feed" electricity into outside utility lines, creating the danger of electrocution for repair crews and the public. Instead, read the manufacturer's instructions, and only plug essential appliances directly into the generator.
- Downed lines – All downed lines should be considered dangerous — they can carry an electric current that can cause serious or even fatal injuries. If you see a fallen wire, stay away and keep others away, including children and pets. Call SWEPCO at 1-888-218-3919 or 911 immediately.
- Safe distance – Keep your distance from SWEPCO workers or contractors as they make repairs. They are following strict safety and social distancing guidelines. Please practice proper social distancing to allow them to complete their work safely. And be careful when driving or walking near all utility work zones.
4. Stay informed
- Make sure your contact information – including your cell number – is current with family, friends and others.
- Stay connected, report outages and check power restoration status: