An unexpected storm rolled through our service territory this morning, causing widespread damage. Our crews are assessing damage and will continue through the evening. Right now, approximately 45 poles are broken, and 17,000 members are without power. AVECC crews will work as quickly and safely as possible to restore power. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.
AUGUST 17, 2026
UPDATE: 7:48 pm
Our crews have restored power to over 6,000 homes since the storm blew through. We have received information that there are still 70 known broken poles systemwide. We currently have 10,962 members without power. Crews will continue working across the entire service territory to assess further damage and restore power through the night.
UPDATE: 9:25 pm
We have received an update from crews that there are now over 90 broken poles systemwide. Crews have restored power to over 7,000 homes today and will continue working to restore power to the remaining 9,400 homes across Crawford, Franklin, Logan, and Pope Counties.
UPDATE: 9:25 pm
We have received an update from crews that there are now over 90 broken poles systemwide. Crews have restored power to over 7,000 homes today and will continue working to restore power to the remaining 9,400 homes across Crawford, Franklin, Logan, Johnson and Pope Counties.
UPDATE: 11:00 pm
Crews continue assessing damage and restoring electricity as quickly, efficiently, and safely as possible. Currently, 8,669 members are without power. We will provide our next update in the morning.
AUGUST 18, 2026
UPDATE 6:50 am
Crews restored more power last night. Currently, 7,603 members are without electricity in their homes. Our linemen and crews are working across the service territory today to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.
UPDATE: 1:40 pm
136 broken poles identified so far. We have brought in the following to help speed up the restoration efforts.
Mutual aid: NAEC, Rich Mountain, Quachita Electric, Craighead Electric.
Contractors: AECI, Kiowa, MDR, Beachview
It is dangerously hot and many have been without power for 24+ hours. If you feel a situation is becoming unsafe, please contact your local emergency management services immediately.
UPDATE 7:02 pm
We are currently down to 3,420 members remaining without power. Crews are continuing to work across the affected areas.
UPDATE 9:00 pm
Our crews have been able to restore power to approximately 5,000 members today. Only 2,426 members remain without power in Crawford, Franklin, Johnson, and Pope Counties.
UPDATE 11:00 pm
We are under 2,000 members remaining without power tonight! Crews have been able to restore power to over 5,000 members today and will continue working overnight to reset and repair broken infrastructure, including broken poles, and restore power as quickly, efficiently, and safely as possible. We will share another update when more information becomes available in the morning.
AUGUST 19, 2026
UPDATE: 8:15 am
Crews worked through the night to replace broken infrastructure such as broken poles. Replacing broken poles is a tedious job, but will make a BIG difference in restoration efforts. We currently have 1,731 members remaining without power.
UPDATE: 12:30 pm
We have 1,035 members remaining without power in Crawford, Franklin, Johnson, and Pope Counties. We have identified 152 broken poles thus far. Crews are continuing to restore power as quickly as possible.
UPDATE 7:20 pm
482 members remain without power. We won’t stop until every single light is back on.
UPDATE 10:10 pm
As of 9:43pm, 298 members in Crawford, Franklin, Johnson, and Pope Counties are without . We have found 169 confirmed broken poles so far system-wide. Crews are continuing to restore power as quickly as possible. We will provide another update in the morning.
AUGUST 20, 2026
UPDATE 11:35 am
We currently have 95 members without power in Crawford, Franklin, Johnson, and Pope Counties. We have found 181 confirmed broken poles so far across our service territory. Crews are continuing to restore power as quickly as possible.
UPDATE 8:00 pm
All storm outages have been restored!
