AEP Texas is making contingency plans as icy, winter weather has the potential to cause widespread power outages across West Texas.

The regional headquarter cities of Abilene and San Angelo, which are responsible for all electric customers served by AEP Texas in West Texas, have called upon additional line, service and support crews to help out existing crews.

AEP Texas emergency management will continue to monitor the weather throughout the weekend and make arrangements to ensure that sufficient resources are called upon to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

“We are watching the weather and can call for additional personnel and equipment to help with power restoration if the situation changes,” said Bruce Evans, vice president of electric distribution operations for AEP Texas.

Electric customers should call the AEP Texas Customer Solutions Center (866-223-8508) to report downed power lines, power outages and any unsafe conditions. Customers may want to have a copy of their electric bill on hand, which contains their ESI ID number. This will help expedite service if they are transferred to an automated system.

Customers on life support or who require an uninterrupted power supply should make alternative arrangements in case of an extended outage. Weather conditions may impede AEP Texas’ ability to access certain areas.

“Safety is our top priority for our employees working on the lines and electric customers we serve,” said Evans.

Additional safety tips can be found on AEPTexas.com.

AEP Texas, a unit of American Electric Power, delivers electricity to approximately 1,000,000 homes, businesses and industries in south and west Texas. AEP Texas provides regulated energy delivery service to consumers, regardless of which Retail Electric Provider they choose. The region headquarters is in Corpus Christi.