OG&E prepares for high winds, urges customers to stay safe

OG&E says it's closely monitoring weather forecasts for extremely high winds expected on Friday, March 14, and is ready to respond to potential outages.

The utility is urging customers to stay aware of the weather and have a safety plan in place.

High winds can make grid work dangerous, prompting OG&E to modify its operations to ensure the safety of both crews and customers. If outages occur, crews will work as quickly and safely as possible, but only when conditions allow.

Challenges and Safety During Wind Events:

1. Bucket Trucks: High winds prevent the use of bucket trucks as it’s too risky for crews working in the air, which can delay power restoration.
2. De-energizing Lines: In some cases, OG&E may completely de-energize lines before reconnecting or performing work on them during high winds.
3. Safety Procedures: Enhanced safety protocols may be put in place to secure all vehicles and personnel involved in restoration efforts.

Customers should stay away from downed power lines and anything they are touching, as they may still be energized. Do not drive over downed power lines and report them immediately by calling 800-522-6870.

OG&E offers multiple ways for customers to report and monitor outages:

1. Use the OG&E app (available on iOS and Android)
2. Submit a report online at OGE.com/outages
3. Text OUT to 32001 if signed up for myOGEalerts
4. Call 405-272-9595 (OKC metro) or 800-522-6870 (other areas)