Liberty Storm Updates

Attention: Arkansas Water Customers - Winter Storm Gerri Update: Friday, January 19, 2024

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our customers in Pine Bluff, White Hall, Woodson, and Hensley for working to conserve water as the extreme temperatures that began with Winter Storm Gerri continue to impact the region. Thanks to the combined efforts of the community, our crews, and support from the host cities, the water system remains stable.

With the worst freezing temperatures expected in the days ahead, we are asking customers to continue taking freeze-prevention steps and voluntarily conserving water through Monday, Jan. 22.

When temperatures dip below freezing, consider protecting your pipes by turning faucets on to allow a trickle of water to move through them. When it gets above freezing, please turn faucets off.

Thank you to those who have reported leaks. Please continue to report leaks to our emergency number at 1-855-382-6511.

We appreciate your understanding and assistance as we work together to protect our community’s water system. Our crews continue to work around the clock to keep it operating reliably.

Attention: Arkansas Water Customers - Winter Storm Gerri Update: Thursday, January 18, 2024

The extreme winter weather continues to impact the region, bringing with it subfreezing temperatures for several days. We wanted to alert our Arkansas water customers that we are experiencing increasing water demand, and this is causing decreasing water pressure on the Liberty systems serving Pine Bluff, White Hall, Woodson, and Hensley. This may impact your water service. Our teams are monitoring the situation around the clock, and we are taking immediate steps to respond. This includes calling in additional Liberty crews to help with leak detection on our system and to respond to customer leak calls.  

We need your help to protect the water system serving you: 

To help protect the water system, we ask that you voluntarily conserve water where safely possible. Conservation tips include:? 

• Only run full loads in the dishwasher or washing machine – postpone this activity if possible.? 
• Take a brief, five-minute shower, which takes approximately 10 gallons of water, rather than a bath, which can take approximately 30 gallons of water.? 
• Turn off water while brushing your teeth.? 

Continue to protect the water pipes in your home or business from freezing:  

• Leave cabinet doors open to allow for additional heat and leave a small amount of water dripping from your faucets. Remember, water should be set to a trickle. Faucets do not have to be fully open. 
• Inspect all pipes for signs of leaks. If damage is discovered, turn off your water at your main valve/shut-off and?call a licensed plumber for assistance.? 
• If a pipe freezes, shut off the water immediately, but keep the faucet open. You can thaw exposed pipes by applying warm air with a hair dryer or space heater until full pressure is restored. For your safety, do not leave the space heater unattended, and under no circumstances should you use an open flame. Be sure to turn the water back on slowly, and check pipes for leaks that might have been caused by freezing.? 

Report leaks immediately: 

As the outdoor temperature increases, frozen water lines begin to thaw, sometimes exposing water-line leaks or breaks. If you experience a water line leak or see a leak in the community, please call our emergency number immediately at 1-855-382-6511.  

Stay updated: 

We will continue sharing updates here and on social media. 

Thank you for working together to protect service reliability. Our team is working as quickly as possible to find and repair leaks and increase water pressure. We understand that conserving water during this time can be inconvenient, and we apologize for any hardship this may cause. Our crews continue to work around the clock to keep our system operating reliably. We appreciate your support and cooperation. 

Winter Storm Gerri Update: Saturday, January 13, 2024

We continue to monitor the forecast and extreme cold. Liberty crews have prepared our plants and energy distribution system ahead of winter weather to help ensure safe and reliable energy for our customers. Efforts include increasing fuel storage levels and preventing ice and snow buildup that could impact generation at our power plants. We also increased staffing levels to speed outage response, if needed, and respond to customer needs.

We anticipate high energy demand for several days due to the prolonged bitter cold. We remain in close communication with the Southwest Power Pool, which manages the electric grid and wholesale power market for much of the central U.S. As a member, Liberty helps to ensure generation and transmission facilities are available to meet the needs of customers throughout the Midwest. You can follow grid conditions and learn more at https://spp.org/markets-operations/current-grid-conditions/ or on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SouthwestPowerPool. 

Preparing for Winter Storm Gerri - January 11, 2024

Customers encouraged to prepare for winter weather and freezing temperatures

Several days of subfreezing temperatures are expected in communities throughout Liberty’s service areas starting this weekend. The storm system – called Winter Storm Gerri – is expected to impact the Midwest beginning Friday bringing extreme conditions that could lead to potential power outages and longer restoration times. Weather forecasts can change quickly. Our teams continue to monitor the weather closely and prepare to respond if needed. Stay tuned to your local weather news source and take steps now to prepare. 

Prepare in advance

• If a family member is medically dependent upon electricity or is elderly, make sure to have arrangements in place to maintain their health and safety if the power goes out.
• Always have on hand a first aid kit and essential medications, battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries, canned food and a can opener, and bottled water (at least one gallon per person per day).
• Make sure cell phones and necessary electronics are fully charged.
• Gather blankets and warm clothing, as well as alternate light sources.
• Remember to bring family pets indoors or provide protective shelter during extreme weather.

Conserve energy to save

Extreme cold can lead to increased energy demand. Below are some tips to help you manage your energy use and lower your energy bill:

• Set the thermostat to 68°F when home (or as low as comfortable), and then back to 55-68°F when unoccupied. 
• Open window coverings on the sunny side of your home to take advantage of free heat from the sun. Close the coverings on cloudy days or right after the sun sets. 
• Set your water heater to 120°F. 
• Turn off nonessential lights. 
• Postpone all nonessential energy use such as cooking, using your washing machine, dryer, or dishwasher. 
• Don’t supplement a heating system lost during an outage by using household items such as cooking stoves or ovens.? 
• Avoid the use of electric space heaters when possible. If you must use one, follow safety instructions. 
• If candles and portable heaters are used, never leave them unattended. 
• Gather in a central room where there is an alternative heat source such as a fireplace. 
• Make sure each family member has a warm coat, gloves, and hat. Dress in loose layers of clothing.

Protect your pipes

Pipes most likely to freeze are:

• Pipes that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hoses, swimming pool supply lines, sprinkler lines, and outdoor faucets
• Pipes in unheated areas such as basements, attics, garages, cabinets, or crawl spaces
• Pipes that run near or within exterior walls that have little or no insulation

As temperatures fall, you can help prevent frozen pipes:

• Know where your main water valve is located and how to shut it off.
• Disconnect all garden hoses and drain any water remaining in outdoor faucets.
• Check unheated areas where water lines are located and ensure they are insulated. Heat tape can be used on pipes in these areas for quick and affordable insulation.
• Keep your home temperature set no lower than 55°F. Open cabinet doors to let warmer room temperatures flow in.
• When temperatures are below freezing, let cold water drip from faucets served by exposed or poorly insulated pipes. Even running water through pipes at a trickle can help prevent them from freezing.
• If a pipe freezes, shut off the water immediately, but keep the faucet open. You can thaw pipes by applying warm air with a hair dryer or space heater until full pressure is restored.
• Check all other faucets; if one pipe freezes, others may as well. Slowly turn the water back on and check pipes and joints for any cracks. 

It's also important to prepare for a power outage:

• Gather in a central room where there is an alternative heat source such as a fireplace.
• Make sure each family member has a warm coat, gloves, and a hat. 
• If the indoor temperature drops to 55°F or below, open faucets slightly so they constantly drip to prevent water pipes from freezing.
• If candles and portable heaters are used, never leave them unattended.
• Never use a gas range for room heating.
• Never use charcoal as an indoor heating or cooking source.
• Never use gasoline or other flammable liquids to start or quicken a fire. Always keep a screen around an open flame, and don’t close the damper while ashes are still hot.
• Remember, a fuel-burning heater, such as a kerosene heater, requires proper ventilation to prevent buildup of harmful fumes.
• Place heaters on a hard, non-combustible surface.
• Refer to our generator safety tips by clicking here

Prevent Frozen Pipes

 

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Peak Advisory FAQs

Storm Preparation

 

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Energy Conservation Tips

 

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Outage Tips - What to Do

 

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