When severe weather strikes, there’s no time to hesitate. That’s why, under clear skies, crews from Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) recently converged at the Bossier Civic Center – not for celebration, but for preparation.
Teams from across SWEPCO’s three-state service territory, which includes Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas, joined forces in a high-stakes storm response drill, designed to test their readiness for the worst Mother Nature can deliver.
“When disaster strikes, restoring power isn’t just a technical challenge – it’s a full-scale mobilization,” said Bryan Blanton, SWEPCO’s Director of Distribution Operations and Storm Response Coordinator. “That’s why SWEPCO’s recent storm response drill was more than a routine exercise. It was a simulation of the massive, coordinated effort required to bring communities back online after devastation.”
During the drill, crews participated in a mock weather scenario simulating an historic ice storm that impacts Texas and Arkansas. To further test the team and knowledge of SWEPCO’s planning and protocols, the simulation scenarios regularly changed, and conditions were degraded so that the area of impact expanded to all areas of SWEPCO.
“Weather conditions can shift rapidly across our service area, and our customers need us prepared and ready,” said Drew Seidel, Vice President, Distribution Operations. “That’s why we don’t wait for the weather. Our teams routinely train so we’re ready to act quickly and safely.”
The mock scenario, based on a real storm, included planning for mobilization of a coordinated response, pre-staging crews, activating communication protocols, managing logistics for thousands of workers – sometimes called in from out of state – and post-storm restoration efforts. SWEPCO’s communications team also tested its procedures for keeping customers, local officials, and media informed throughout the event.
“Every detail mattered. Our clear goal was to restore power safely and quickly, while keeping partners informed and equipped to make decisions,” said William Bradford, VP of External Affairs
Training is just one part of SWEPCO’s year-round commitment to storm readiness. Across its three-state service territory, the company is also making significant, strategic investments to strengthen grid reliability and improve resilience against extreme weather.
These efforts include:
- A massive pole replacement program to reinforce critical infrastructure
- Continuous tree trimming to reclaim right of ways and keep lines clear of vegetation
- Deployment of advanced meter technology to enhance outage detection and accelerate restoration
“Together, these initiatives help future-proof SWEPCO’s systems ensuring safer operations, faster response times and more reliable service for customers, even when severe weather strikes,” said Seidel.
Just as SWEPCO employees train year-round to respond to emergencies, SWEPCO offers customers tips so they can plan, too.
“Storms can be unpredictable and being prepared – whether it’s knowing where to go, how to stay informed, or what to do during an outage – can make all the difference,” Bradford said. “Subscribe to SWEPCO communications, including outage alerts and email notifications. Download the SWEPCO mobile app, bookmark the outage map, and follow us on social media for the latest updates.”
Learn how to prepare your family with tips to help before, during and after a storm: Safety.