Severe Storms: 24,000+ Customers Lose Power in Shreveport-Bossier Area

Starting this evening (Wednesday April 2nd) and over the next few days, our area - specifically Shreveport-Bossier - is expected to face severe storms, damaging winds, along with possible hail and tornadoes.

While the storm isn't expected to hit until later in the evening, Shreveport-Bossier is already experiencing some side-effects. According to SWEPCO, thousands of customers in the area are already without power.

Over 20,000 Residents Without Power in Bossier

According to the current information provided by SWEPCO's Outage Map, more than 24,967 customers in Bossier Parish are currently without power. This number is continually growing - about a half hour before publishing this article (around 3 pm), the total number of outages reporting were in the 14,000 range. While no cause has yet been given, it has been extremely windy all day. That wind mixed with trees is a recipe for a power outage.

With severe storms expected to hit the area later this evening, it's probably a safe assumption that it may take a while for service to be restored. And even if they do get the power back on, due to potential storms, it may go right back out again.

What To Do If You're Without Power

If you still have power, prepare now. Charge up your phones and essential electronic devices before the power does go out. Also, probably a good idea to gather up essential items like nonperishable food, bottles of water, flashlights, any medications you might need, pet supplies and anything else you can think of that you may need during an extended power outage. It's easier to have that stuff handy before the storm, instead of fumbling around in the dark looking for this stuff.

Once the power goes out, the first and most important thing, DON'T GO NEAR ANY DOWNED POWERLINES. The power may be out at your house, but you don't want to find out the hard way that line is live.

The next thing is a list of stuff to do to keep you and your stuff safe:

• Keep freezers & refrigerators closed. You don't want your food to spoil and it's really not a good way to cool your house in the event of an outage.
• If you have a generator, make sure you keep it outdoors and away from windows/doors. You'd be surprised by how many people accidentally poison themselves annually because of this.
• Disconnect appliances/electronics not connected to a surge protector. When the power comes back on, it kill your equipment.