SHREVEPORT, La. – Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) crews have restored nearly all power outages caused by Winter Storm Fern, reducing outages from about 70,000 at the storm’s peak to fewer than 2,000 by Thursday afternoon. Most remaining outages were concentrated in the Natchitoches service area, where crews continue restoration efforts.
The company mobilized thousands of lineworkers, tree crews and restoration specialists from across the country to assist in recovery across southern Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. Base camps were established in Texarkana, Longview, Shreveport and Natchitoches to feed and house responding personnel as they worked to repair hundreds of miles of damaged power lines.
As restoration progressed, SWEPCO consolidated operations, closing northern base camps and focusing resources on Natchitoches, which sustained the most significant damage during the second wave of the storm.
SWEPCO’s External Affairs team coordinated with local officials on warming centers and community assistance throughout the storm response. When operations wound down, the company redirected remaining food supplies from its base camps to local relief organizations and first responders.
In Texarkana, SWEPCO provided hot meals to police, fire and emergency workers on Tuesday before relocating crews south. The company also donated trays of food and five pallets of milk, juice and boxed lunches to the Randy Sams Outreach Shelter and Mission Texarkana.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to support these organizations that take care of community members experiencing homelessness year-round,” said Lisa Thompson, SWEPCO’s external affairs manager for the Texarkana District.
In Longview, Texas, SWEPCO donated seven pallets of food from a closing base camp to Newgate Mission.
“Seeing the warmth and genuine gratitude from those who benefited from SWEPCO’s donation was truly moving,” said Mark Robinson, external affairs manager for the Longview District. “When a company leads with purpose and compassion, it can make a meaningful difference in the lives of the people it serves and strengthen the communities we call home.”
SWEPCO said restoration work will continue until power is fully restored across its service territory.