BY LEANN DILBECK –
Electric crews continue working to restore power to hard hit Polk County following a devastating arctic front that delivered an ice storm reminiscent of the Christmas 2000 storm.
Friday morning, 3,800 SWEPCO customers and 5,500 Rich Mountain Electric Cooperatives members had power interrupted due to accumulation of ice on the lines and downed trees and limbs.
Most businesses in Mena were forced to close for most of the day Friday.
Polk County Sheriff Mike Godfrey said his department’s resources were stretched thin and is encouraging residents to eliminate all NON-ESSENTIAL travel.
As is the case when natural disasters hit Polk County, residents sprang into action to help the officials and chainsaws were humming as neighbors began cutting paths down drives and roads.
Shelters have been opened at Dallas Avenue Baptist Church and at First Baptist Church in Cove.
Progress is being made in getting power restored but officials are urging residents to be prepared for a “multi-day outage” as damage is extensive and wide-spread. Here is the most current information as of Friday evening from both SWEPCO and we will post the update from Rich Mountain Electric Cooperatives on this link as soon as it becomes available.
Rich Mountain Electric Cooperative experienced approximately 6,000 outages at the peak of the current winter storm. Presently, about 4,500 of Rich Mountain Electric Cooperative members are without power. Rich Mountain Electric linemen have worked throughout the night and day to restore power to those who have been impacted.
According to Leon Philpot, General Manager of Rich Mountain Electric Cooperative “Restoration could be prolonged to 1 to 3 days due to more severe weather forecasted.” 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 the power lines.
According to Philpot, primary lines serving hundreds of customers are serviced first, and then the secondary lines serving fewer members are serviced.
For additional information contact: Leon Philpot, Rich Mountain Electric Cooperative, 479-394-4140 or lphilpot@rmec.com
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/
http://mypulsenews.com/local-crews-prepared-for-predicted-storm/
About Author
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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