If you’ve lived in Shreveport for even a couple summers, you already know what we’re up against. That thick Louisiana heat, the kind that fogs your glasses when you step outside. Pop-up thunderstorms that come out of nowhere. Trees that lean just a little too far when the wind kicks up.
At Southern Air, our technicians spend most their time in attics, around panels, or helping customers figure out why their AC quit working in the middle of July. During the summer we have been receiving more calls about something else: power going out across whole neighborhoods, sometimes for hours, sometimes longer.
In the beginning of Spring 2025, SWEPCO had to shut down parts of the power grid. Not because of a freak accident, but to prevent one. We are likely to encounter more and more of these type of power events.
In attempt to help we are putting together a resource to assist with possible power outage situations. No fancy language, no fluff. Just what we would tell our neighbors if they asked me how to prepare for this summer.
Short version? The system’s aging, the weather’s getting wilder, and everyone’s using more power than ever before.
When I was out doing a service call a few weeks ago, the homeowner told me their power blinked off three times in one day. No storms, no wind. Just… off. That’s the kind of stress our grid is under right now.
Here’s what’s behind it:
Storms are stronger. That’s just the reality. One good gust and the whole block goes dark.
AC units are working overtime. When the temps hit triple digits, every system is pulling hard. That kind of load adds up fast.
Utilities are shutting down parts of the grid to avoid blowouts. They’re trying to stay ahead of the problem.
Old trees, downed branches, and flood water cause more damage than folks realize. Sometimes it’s a line down the road. Other times it’s something frying inside the transformer.
None of this is meant to scare you. But it is happening—and we’ve got to be smarter about how we handle it.
It might sound obvious, but most folks don’t realize just how quickly things fall apart when the lights go off. I’ve had customers call me in a panic just a few hours into an outage. And I don’t blame them.
Here’s what usually goes sideways:
The AC quits, and within an hour your house can feel like a sauna.
The fridge and freezer stop running, and that’s hundreds of dollars in spoiled food if power doesn’t come back fast.
Security systems shut down, and the house feels exposed at night.
Medical devices go dark if they’re not backed up with batteries.
Some folks lose water too, depending on what kind of pump system they’ve got.
These aren’t hypotheticals. I’ve seen this play out dozens of times during the summer. And once it starts, it doesn’t take long before things get uncomfortable—or even dangerous.
Alright, let’s get to the good stuff. Here are five solid steps you can take that’ll make a world of difference when the power goes out next time.
Forget the movie version. You don’t need glow sticks and canned beans from 2005. You need things that’ll keep you safe and functioning:
A few LED flashlights and backup batteries
Clean drinking water (a gallon per person per day is a good start)
Shelf-stable food that doesn’t need heating
Battery banks or solar chargers for your phone
A portable fan (battery-powered ones work surprisingly well)
Your medications and a basic first aid kit
Printouts of emergency contacts and utility numbers
Keep it all in one place, so you’re not scrambling when the lights flicker.
This isn’t a sales pitch. An overloaded panel or frayed wire can turn a blackout into something worse. We offer inspections at Southern Air, and we’ll walk through your home with you and explain what we see—no jargon, no pressure.
A lot of people think they can just grab a generator from the store and be good. But if you’ve ever dealt with those portable ones, you know the hassle. The noise, the limited power, the extension cords running through windows.
A whole-home generator is different. It’s quiet, automatic, and keeps your whole setup going. AC. Fridge. Lights. Even the coffee maker. If you want to stay comfortable and safe during a long outage, this is your best bet.
An efficient system cools faster and holds the temperature better—which buys you time if the power goes out. Plus, a tune-up can help you avoid a breakdown on the hottest day of the year. (And yes, we’ve all seen it happen.)
When the power finally kicks back on, it can spike. That little zap? It’s enough to fry your TV, your fridge, or worse. Whole-home surge protectors take that hit instead, so your appliances don’t have to.
Southern Air has been in this line of work long enough to know when something’s changing. And around here, it’s not just one-off power flickers anymore. We’re looking at a summer where grid stress and storms are going to be a real problem.
Getting ready doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. It just takes a little planning—and maybe a few upgrades that’ll pay off for years. Whether it’s a generator install, a system tune-up, or just some honest advice about what your home needs, we’re ready to help.
You don’t have to go it alone. We live here too. And when the storms come, we want your family to feel safe and stay cool.
Give us a call or schedule your free consultation online. Let’s make sure you’re not left in the dark this summer.
