Outage Map
Our Outage Map provides real-time information about current power outages across our service area. Use the map to view outage locations, track restoration progress, and stay informed as crews work to safely restore power.
Outage Map
Report an Outage via SmartHub
SmartHub is the fastest and easiest way to report an outage. You can click/tap the link below to report via web browser.
Report an Outage with SmartHub
Download the App from the Google Play or Apple Store
Report an Outage by Phone
Automated Response Center
Toll-Free: (855) 939-3697
To speak to a representative
Toll-Free: (866) 229-8474
Outage Reporting Note: We are unable to take outage reports from our website, social media or by email.
Storm & Outage Preparedness
Power outages can happen without warning and may last from a few minutes to several days, depending on the cause and the extent of the damage. Being prepared can help keep you and your family safe until power is restored.
More on Outage Preparedness
A Power Outage May:
Disrupt communications, water, and transportation
Close retail businesses, grocery stores, gas stations, ATMs, banks, and other services
Cause food spoilage and water contamination
Prevent use of medical devices
Generator Safety
A portable generator can keep a few essential appliances running during a power outage, while a whole-home generator can provide backup power for your entire home. No matter which type you use, proper installation and operation are essential.
More on Generator Safety
If Used Improperly, Generators Can:
Cause carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock, fire, or other serious injuries
Endanger utility crews working to restore power by backfeeding electricity onto power lines
Damage the appliances, electronics, and other equipment connected to them
Outage FAQs
High winds blowing trees and branches onto power lines
Vehicles striking and breaking utility poles
High winds breaking utility poles
High winds blowing lines into trees
Cold-load pick-up problems
Animals such as birds, snakes, and squirrels climbing poles and contacting both the pole and the power line
Snow and ice build-up that causes power lines to break or touch tree branches
Problems at substations
Southwest Arkansas Electric Cooperative’s (SWAECC) power restoration procedures are very simple. We try to restore power to as many families as possible as quickly as possible. Below are the steps SWAECC takes to restore power.
Restore power to substations
Repair main feeder lines in populated residential areas
Repair three-phase lines in built-up rural areas
Repair rural three-phase lines
After three-phase lines have been repaired, repair single-phase lines
Individual services and transformers are the last to be repaired
Weatherheads and meter bases torn from the dwelling by falling trees or ice are the responsibility of the homeowner
SWAECC is committed to doing everything within its power to restore power as quickly as possible. During a severe outage lasting several days the cooperative will:
Pre-position employees and materials in any area expected to be hit hard by severe weather
Call in employees from other, unaffected, SWAECC offices
Call in outside help from other rural electric cooperatives
Hire additional contract line and tree-trimming crews
Work long hours every day and night until power is restored
Use local media to update customers as to our progress
First make sure the problem is not within your home. Check your fuse box or circuit breaker to see if a fuse has blown or a breaker has tripped. If your fuses and breakers are okay, check your neighbors’ houses for lights. If your neighbors have power, the problem may just be at your home. If your neighbors do not have lights, then you should call SWAECC and report the outage.
The fastest way is to use our SmartHub app
If you’re unable to access the app, our outage response number is (855) 939-3697
SWAECC uses the Outage Management System, a system that allows your outage to be automatically recorded so that crews can be dispatched more efficiently.
When you call your SWAECC office, the Outage Management System attempts to look up your account matching the phone number you are calling from and the number that is listed in our records.
If a match cannot be found, you will be prompted to enter additional information such as a phone number or account number.
The system will make every attempt to record your outage automatically before it sends your call to be personally answered. Please be assured that the most efficient method of reporting an outage is being used.
During times of widespread outages, please keep in mind that phone lines may be busy. We ask your patience; we are doing everything possible to ensure that outage information is being dispatched to crews.
Once you report an outage, please give SWAECC time to respond and repair the damage. The cause of the outage may be miles from your home, and thus you may not see SWAECC vehicles in your area.
If your power has not been restored within a few hours of your first call, please call again and report your outage. You should also call again if power is restored to your neighbors, but not to your home.
If severe weather strikes, such as a tornado, ice storm or blizzard, it may be several days before power is restored to all SWAECC customers. During such an extended outage it is helpful if customers call and report their outage each morning.
If power goes out, turn off electric heating /cooling system depending on season.
Turn off appliances and lights leaving one light on to signal the restoration of power.
Open refrigerators and freezers only as needed.
After power has been restored, turn on heating/cooling system and appliances one by one over a period of time to minimize strain on system and prevent cold-load pick-up problems.
Report all damage in your community. If you cannot get through to SWAECC, it may be because others in your area are calling to report damage.
Listen to local radio stations for updates.
If the weather is extremely cold, seek shelter if possible.
Cold-load pick-up problems occur during severe cold or hot weather when SWAECC tries to restore power.
When power is disrupted in the winter, many families leave their heating systems and appliances on.
When power is restored, those heating systems cause a huge drain on the power lines and can cause line protection equipment to take the overloaded lines off line because the heavy load acts the same as a fault on the line.
Cold-load pick-up problems also occur in the summer when families and businesses are running air-conditioning units and heat pumps.
Cold-load pick-up problems are prevented when customers turn off their electric heating or air-conditioning systems, lights and appliances and then, after power has been restored, turn them back on over a period of time.
Portable generators, especially generators designed for home use, are not powerful enough to run your whole home. Necessary appliances such as the refrigerator, freezer or a space heater should be plugged into the generator. You should never plug your generator in your home’s outlets.
A generator connected to your home’s wiring systems must have a double throw switch that disconnects the generator and your home from SWAECC’s power system. This switch must be installed by a licensed electrician and must be inspected by the state or county electrical inspector.
Farm and commercial generators must be installed with a switch that disconnects the home or building from SWAECC’s power system while the generator is being used.
No, not unless you first call SWAECC. It is impossible to tell just by looking at them if power lines are energized. Live trees are excellent conductors of electricity, as are metal chain saw blades and bars. If SWAECC reports that power is out in your area, be aware that neighbors incorrectly using electric generators could be sending electricity into the lines.
Your neighbor’s home may be on a different line. For example, a three-phase line may run right in front of your home, but you may receive power through a single-phase line running through your backyard. Also, the problem may be on the wire between the pole and your home or, your phase of a three-phase line may be out while the other 2 are still operating.
