SHREVEPORT, La. – Following the exit of Tropical Storm Beryl from the ArkLaTex region early Tuesday morning, SWEPCO crews have made significant strides in restoring power to more than 90 percent of customers affected by the extreme weather event. Beryl brought record-setting conditions, including 67 tornado warnings—the most ever issued by the National Weather Service in Shreveport in a single day.
Restoration Efforts and Progress
At the peak of the storm, 48,000 SWEPCO customers across Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas experienced power outages. As of 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, approximately 44,000 customers have had their power restored. The ongoing work focuses on difficult-to-access areas, often flooded and remote, where safety remains a priority for both customers and crews.
SWEPCO has mobilized additional crews and contractors, utilizing specialized track equipment to reach damaged areas. Efforts include ground operations, aerial assessments, and boat deployments to expedite repairs. Over 940 utility professionals are involved in the restoration efforts, with teams being re-routed to assist in the hardest-hit areas, such as Haughton, Louisiana.
Damage Assessments and Challenges
Preliminary assessments in Haughton indicate that over 169 utility poles require repairs, and 90 poles were broken and need replacement. Crews are working tirelessly in challenging terrain, clearing trees and making complex repairs to energy delivery infrastructure. The estimated restoration time for most of the Haughton area is set for 5 p.m., Friday, July 12.
Tornado Confirmations and Impact
The National Weather Service in Shreveport has confirmed five tornadoes from the storm, with ongoing assessments expected to increase this number. The confirmed tornadoes include:
- EF2, winds estimated at 125 mph, Converse to Stanley (SWEPCO’s southern territory)
- EF2, winds estimated at 127 mph, Pleasant Hill (SWEPCO’s southern territory)
- EF1, winds estimated at 100 mph, Elm Grove (Shreveport)
- EF1, winds estimated at 100 mph, Haughton – Benton (Shreveport)
- EF1, winds estimated at 95 mph, Plain Dealing (Shreveport)
Within the Shreveport region, peak outages totaled 22,827. SWEPCO has restored power to 86 percent of residents in the Shreveport/Bossier areas, continuing to make impactful progress.
Estimated Time of Restoration (ETRs)
SWEPCO has provided estimated restoration times for the affected areas based on current assessments and the availability of crews:
- Louisiana:
- Shreveport, Vivian/Plain Dealing, Natchitoches: 10 p.m. Wednesday, July 10
- Mansfield: 6 p.m. Thursday, July 11
- Haughton: 5 p.m., Friday, July 12
- Texas:
- Gilmer, Gladewater, Texarkana, Mt. Pleasant: 10 p.m. Wednesday, July 10
- Carthage, Longview, Marshall: 8 p.m. Thursday, July 11
- Arkansas:
- Nashville, Texarkana: 10 p.m., Wednesday, July 10
Staying Informed
Customers are encouraged to sign up for email or text alerts to receive direct updates on the estimated restoration time for their home or business. For more information and to enroll in alerts, visit swepco.com/alerts.