Preliminary Damage Assessment Underway | East Texas Update #1

What You Need to Know

• SWEPCO crews are conducting emergency assessment and response after a powerful storm downed trees and toppled power lines across East Texas.
• National Weather Service/NOAA estimate peak wind gusts at 48 mph in Henderson and 39 mph in Longview.
• As of 3 p.m., approximately 14,700 customers are without power.
• At peak, approximately 19,000 customers were without power.
• SWEPCO has requested additional utility professionals to aid in restoration efforts with many already enroute.
• Some areas impacted the most include Mineola, New London, Henderson, and Longview.
• Assessments are underway, weather permitting. Additional information, updates will be forthcoming

CURRENT SITUATION

Emergency assessment and response is underway by SWEPCO crews after a powerful storm brought damaging winds that downed trees and toppled power lines across parts of East Texas Tuesday morning. As of 3 p.m. Tuesday, approximately 14,700 customers are without power. At peak, 19,000 customers were without power.

SWEPCO has requested help from other utilities and contractors to aid in restoration effort with many already enroute.

Early assessments show some of the most impacted areas include Henderson, Longview, Mineola, and New London. National Weather Service/ NOAA estimate peak wind gusts at 48 mph in Henderson and 39 mph in Longview.

ASSESSING THE DAMAGE

Estimated times of restoration will be made available once assessors have completed their work. When a storm causes the power to go out, assessors ensure the right crew, the right equipment and the right location are accurate to safely and as quickly as possible, restore service to our customers.

Learn more about our restoration process.

GET RESTORATION UPDATES

By enrolling in our alerts at SWEPCO.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 at SWEPCO.com/OutageMap.

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.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Should I call SWEPCO to report my power outage?

Immediately after a major storm, report only safety hazards such as downed power lines or equipment that is sparking. Often, we’re already aware of damage to our systems such as transmission lines and distribution circuits. Your calls help us focus resources on hazards that are not automatically picked up by our monitoring systems. You can also report an outage using our online form. Want to be the first to know about outages? Subscribe to alerts.

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.

How does SWEPCO handle tree damage?

Our tree crews are among the first responders as they work to safely clear trees from our lines and equipment and move to the next location as quickly as possible to allow our line crews to restore power.

We do not remove cut trees or limbs during emergency power restoration. In these instances, property owners are responsible for removing tree debris.

Don't attempt to remove tree limbs or debris yourself if it is within 10 feet of a power line. Also, if you notice downed lines or sparking equipment, stay far away and call 911 and SWEPCO immediately at (888) 218-3919.

STAYING CONNECTED

To receive the latest alerts and information from SWEPCO, customers should:

• Report outages: SWEPCO.com/outage
• 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 as well as other communication channels.