SHREVEPORT, La. (December 20, 2022) – Southwestern Electric Power Co. is urging customers to be prepared for a potential extreme winter weather event Thursday and Friday. Forecasts predict dangerous, below-freezing temperatures, high winds and some wintry precipitation across Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana. These factors can stress the electric grid and cause utility problems. SWEPCO personnel are prepared if power outages occur and are asking customers to do the same by following these tips.

Plan ahead

• Develop a plan for you and your family. Decide now what you'll do if there's an extended power outage.

• If you or a family member relies on uninterrupted electric service for health reasons, make a plan now in case there are extended outages.

• Gather an emergency outage kit that includes a portable heater. Review and follow safety specifications before using.

• Make sure your contact information – including your cell number – is current with family, friends and others.

• Learn more about making an emergency kit and get other preparedness tips at SWEPCO.com/Outages/StormPrep

Stay connected

• Charge power banks ahead of time to help keep your cell phones charged.

• Report outages and check power restoration status at SWEPCO.com/Outages

• Download the SWEPCO mobile app for quick access to outage information: SWEPCO.com/App.

• Sign up to get SWEPCO alerts: SWEPCO.com/Alerts.

• Follow SWEPCO on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Be safe

• Treat all downed lines as dangerous — they can carry an electric current that can cause serious or even fatal injuries. If you see a fallen wire, stay away and keep others away, including children and pets. Call SWEPCO at 1-888-218-3919 or 911 immediately.

• Always use caution with any alternate sources of lighting, cooking, cooling or heating. Never operate lanterns, heaters, generators, fuel-fired stoves or burn charcoal without proper ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and fires.

• If you use a portable or RV generator, do not plug the generator into your home's main electrical panel. This can "back-feed" electricity into outside utility lines, creating the danger of electrocution for repair crews and the public. Instead, read the manufacturer's instructions, and only plug essential appliances directly into the generator.

• Be careful when driving or walking near all utility work zones.

About Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO)

SWEPCO, an American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) company, serves more than 547,800 customers in Northwest and Central Louisiana, Northeast Texas and the Texas Panhandle, and Western Arkansas. SWEPCO’s headquarters are in Shreveport, La. News releases and other information about SWEPCO can be found at SWEPCO.com. Connect with us at Facebook.com/SWEPCO, Twitter.com/SWEPCOnews, Instagram.com/swepco, Youtube.com/SWEPCOtv and LinkedIn.com/company/swepco.

About American Electric Power (AEP)

American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is powering a cleaner, brighter energy future for its customers and communities. AEP’s approximately 16,700 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 224,000 miles of distribution lines to safely deliver reliable and affordable power to 5.5 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 31,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 7,100 megawatts of renewable energy. The company’s plans include growing its renewable generation portfolio to approximately 50% of total capacity by 2030. AEP is on track to reach an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 and has committed to achieving net zero by 2045. AEP is recognized consistently for its focus on sustainability, community engagement, and diversity, equity and inclusion. AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com.