ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES OF ARKANSAS SUPPORT LOUISIANA PREPARATIONS FOR TROPICAL STORM FRANCINE
LITTLE ROCK — The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas are sending a team of experts to assist their neighbors in Louisiana in anticipation of the effects of Tropical Storm Francine. In response to the gathering storm, 55 line technicians, along with utility vehicles and heavy equipment, have been dispatched to DEMCO in Central City, Louisiana, to help ensure prompt power restoration if needed.
In preparation for potential widespread power outages, this contingent will work alongside DEMCO to establish a robust response to the storm. The proactive measure is taken as Tropical Storm Francine is predicted to strengthen into a hurricane before making landfall on the Louisiana coast, carrying significant rainfall and strong winds.
- Arkansas Electric Cooperatives Inc. (AECI) and the state’s 17 local electric cooperatives stand ready to deploy additional crews and resources if the situation demands more support. These cooperatives serve over 600,000 members across Arkansas and neighboring states.
- The storm’s trajectory is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to various Arkansas regions, with some areas expecting up to four inches of rain and wind speeds of up to 30 mph.
The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas are comprised of 17 electric distribution cooperatives, including AECI, which provides services to these distribution cooperatives, and the Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp., a generation and transmission cooperative. This collaborative effort reflects their commitment to maintaining reliable services even in the face of severe weather.
