Southwestern Electric Power Company is monitoring winter weather forecasted for this weekend that could bring snow, ice and frigid temperatures across its service territory, including the Texarkana area.
The utility company is urging customers to prepare now for potential power outages and rapidly changing weather conditions.
SWEPCO crews have spent the past year working to strengthen the power grid’s resilience against winter storms. In 2025, crews inspected more than 81,000 power poles, replaced over 16,000 poles, and cleared vegetation around more than 1,370 miles of power lines across Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.
“We are committed to caring for our customers no matter what the weather brings,” said Drew Seidel, SWEPCO vice president of Region Distribution Operations. “That is why we are closely monitoring this weekend’s winter weather forecast for SWEPCO’s service territory and have comprehensive winter weather action plans in place for both our power plants and storm response in communities.”
The company has winter weather action plans in place, with crews ready to respond to service interruptions. Power plants have site-specific protocols and procedures to ensure safe operations during winter weather events.
SWEPCO recommends customers prepare emergency kits and have plans in place, especially those who rely on uninterrupted electric service for health reasons. The company suggests setting thermostats to 68 degrees, changing furnace filters regularly, sealing leaks, and gathering supplies in case residents need to stay home for several days without power.
Customers can download the SWEPCO app for outage updates and safety information, sign up for text and email alerts at SWEPCO.com/Alerts, or call 1-888-218-3919 to report outages.