As of 6:30 on Friday evening approximately 1,400 customers are without electric service in the Alpine, Marathon and surrounding areas as the year’s first winter storm continues, according to Fred Hernandez, AEP Texas community affairs manager.  The number of outages could increase as ice accumulation on electric facilities reaches one-half to three-quarters of an inch or more.

• Much of Marathon is without power.  AEP Texas now estimates that service restoration to the approximately 500 customers without power may not be complete until Sunday.   At least 20 poles and 40 cross arms likely have been damaged as a result of the icing conditions.   Although crews are taking steps to restore distribution service first and then repair or replace the damaged poles and cross arms at a later date, weather conditions are hampering those efforts.
• AEP Texas crews are working to restore power to 250 customers in the Sunny Glen subdivision in Alpine as a result of the current winter storm.  Twenty-two utility poles were broken or damaged.  Restoration of electric service to portions of  Sunny Glen is anticipated later this evening, and restoration efforts in the subdivision will continue on Saturday and be completed that evening.  
• Approximately 600 customers within Alpine currently are without power.  Crews are working to determine the exact cause of the outage and restore power.   When the cause is known an estimate can be given regarding the estimated restoration time.

Approximately 40 service techs and other restoration personnel are traveling to the area to respond to these and any other outages that may occur as the storm progresses.  These crews will support the 20 local service techs and other restoration personnel already working to restore electric service.

“The number of crews from areas being brought in from areas outside west Texas is expected to increase over the next several hours,” Hernandez said.  “We have had to revise some projected restoration times as the weather continues to get worse.”

Electric customers should call the AEP Texas Customer Solutions Center (866-223-8508) to report downed power lines, power outages and any unsafe conditions.  Consumers are reminded to stay clear of any downed lines and assume they are energized.  Consumers may want to have a copy of their electric bill on hand, which contains their ESI ID number. This will help expedite service if they are transferred to an automated system.

Anyone on life support or who require an uninterrupted power supply should make alternative arrangements in case of an extended outage. Weather conditions may impede AEP Texas’ ability to access certain areas.

Additional safety tips can be found at www.aeptexas.com.  A "snapshot" view of current outages is available anytime at www.aeptexas.com/outages.