SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER CITY, LA (KSLA) -
SWEPCO is gearing up for electric power restoration efforts this week in anticipation of Tropical Storm/Hurricane Isaac making landfall in or near south Louisiana.
The energy company is booking hotels as it sends an additional 350 line crew personnel and 100 tree trimming crew personnel to the area to assist crews already in south Louisiana. The help is coming from Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Virginia, according to a company statement.
Even with the additional help, SWEPCO officials ask that customers who lose power because of the storm patiently wait until crews can restore power.
"Driving rain and high winds for serveral hours prevent our utility linemen from working safely on power lines while the storm is in progress," says Venita McCellon-Allen, SWEPCO president and chief operating officer in Shreveport.
Crews will begin work on any power outage once wind speeds fall below 40 mph, she says.
For outage preparation and safety tips, customers can visit the company's website at https://swepco.com/outages/ or its Facebook page.
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