County-Wide Power Outage from Ice Storm – SHELTERS OPEN

BY LEANN DILBECK –

Rich Mountain Electric Cooperative of Mena reports that electric  service to approximately 5,500 members has been interrupted by ice collecting on trees and power lines.

Polk County Sheriff Mike Godfrey said the county’s resources are stretched thin and encourages neighbors to be checking on each other.

Roads are beginning to slush with the plummeting temperatures. The constantly falling limbs and trees are a hazard and encourages everyone to ESSENTIAL travel only.

According to Leon Philpot, president/CEO of Rich Mountain Electric, the weight of the ice on the power lines is snapping power poles and cross arms. This number could increase as ice continues to accumulate.

“Our crews are working to restore power in these areas as quickly and as safely as possible,” said Leon Philpot, president/CEO of Rich Mountain Electric. “Restoration could be prolonged in some areas due to more severe weather forecasted.”

With the forecast of additional winter weather and potential extended power outages, Rich Mountain Electric asks that if you or a family member is dependent on electric powered medical equipment, please take steps now to seek alternative shelter or a source of backup power. Please stay tuned to local television and radio for updates.

Consumers are advised to avoid downed power lines and trees touching power lines stay away as the lines may still be energized. Consumers are asked to call the Rich Mountain Electric at 479.394.4140 to report any downed power lines or trees on power lines.

Philpot said, “Our goal is to restore power safely to the greatest number of members in the shortest time possible. We will not jeopardize the safety of the storm team or the public.

According to Philpot, primary lines serving hundreds of customers are serviced first, and then the secondary lines serving fewer members are serviced.

Rich Mountain Electric Cooperative serves approximately 8,700 members in four counties in Arkansas and a portion of Oklahoma.  Incorporated in 1945, the cooperative operates offices in Mena and Dierks. The locally owned and managed organization has 28 employees.

Here is the latest information available from SWEPCO:

Please heed all safety measures when using alternate heat sources. If you do not have a carbon monoxide detector in your home, crack a small window.

As long as cell service remains, we will be able to continually keep this site updated with the latest information available. We will post as information is received.

The National Weather Service forecast is:

• Today – Freezing rain and sleet before 1pm, then a chance of snow and sleet. Temperature falling to around 20 by 5pm. Wind chill values as low as 9. North wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Total daytime ice accumulation of 0.1 to 0.2 of an inch possible. Total daytime snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
• Tonight – Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 11. Wind chill values as low as zero. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
• Saturday – Increasing clouds, with a high near 26. Wind chill values as low as zero. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
• Saturday Night – A chance of snow and sleet before 1am, then a chance of freezing rain and sleet. Cloudy, with a low around 22. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
• Sunday – A slight chance of sleet before 10am, then a slight chance of freezing rain. Cloudy, with a high near 32. East southeast wind around 5 mph becoming south in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
• Sunday Night – Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Other ice storm related stories:

http://mypulsenews.com/local-crews-prepared-for-predicted-storm/

http://mypulsenews.com/area-prepares-for-predicted-winter-weather-storm/

http://mypulsenews.com/weather-forces-postponement-menas-christmas-festival/

http://mypulsenews.com/updated-list-of-winter-weather-closings/

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Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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