Electric Company Prepares for Severe Weather
By: Tyler Thomason
Updated: January 29, 2013
""The weather system that is potentially affecting Northwest Arkansas right now, is one that we've been looking at for a couple of days now," says SWEPCO spokesman Peter Main.
Meteorologists aren't the only ones with a watchful eye on mother nature.
Electric company SWEPCO says when it comes to potential outages preparedness is a priority.
"In addition to monitoring local conditions, we have an emergency restoration planning group," Main says.
"We also have meteorologists on staff."
The power company serves more than half a million customers across three states, many of them right here in NWA.
"Among the major causes of outages are trees and lightning," Main says.
And if the branches fall or a bolt strikes, customers can instantly report any outages from their mobile device.
"We've moved in that direction to provide that capability for customers," Main says.
He says staying alert isn't just a safeguard for severe weather season.
"It's our year-round job," Main adds.
"To prepare for those storms, and to react when they occur."
And recovery efforts are another aspect where the company's in-house meteorologists play a big role.
"We can look out ahead and see if there are additional waves of weather coming in," Main says.
"It helps us look at the broader picture, in terms of resources that we might need."
Precautionary protocol, all in an effort to stay safe and effective.
"Preparedness for storms, it's what we do."
To report outages from your phone:
https://www.swepco.com/mobile
Meteorologists aren't the only ones with a watchful eye on mother nature.
Electric company SWEPCO says when it comes to potential outages preparedness is a priority.
"In addition to monitoring local conditions, we have an emergency restoration planning group," Main says.
"We also have meteorologists on staff."
The power company serves more than half a million customers across three states, many of them right here in NWA.
"Among the major causes of outages are trees and lightning," Main says.
And if the branches fall or a bolt strikes, customers can instantly report any outages from their mobile device.
"We've moved in that direction to provide that capability for customers," Main says.
He says staying alert isn't just a safeguard for severe weather season.
"It's our year-round job," Main adds.
"To prepare for those storms, and to react when they occur."
And recovery efforts are another aspect where the company's in-house meteorologists play a big role.
"We can look out ahead and see if there are additional waves of weather coming in," Main says.
"It helps us look at the broader picture, in terms of resources that we might need."
Precautionary protocol, all in an effort to stay safe and effective.
"Preparedness for storms, it's what we do."
To report outages from your phone:
https://www.swepco.com/mobile
