May 2, 2025

Shreveport and Bossier City Hit by Major Power Outage

News Summary

On April 29, 2025, Shreveport and Bossier City experienced a major power outage, affecting over 32,000 customers. Many businesses faced significant financial losses as power was out for up to six hours. Local owners, including those from Streetcar Station, reported disrupted operations. Public officials are discussing potential compensation for the impacted businesses as discussions around accountability and preventive measures intensify.

Shreveport and Bossier City Experience Major Power Outage

A significant power outage struck the Shreveport and Bossier City areas on April 29, 2025, disrupting the operations of over 32,000 residential and business customers. Power outages lasted for up to six hours for many affected, causing local businesses to incur serious financial losses.

Impact on Local Businesses

Erica Gilliam, owner of Streetcar Station located in Bossier City’s East Bank District, found herself facing considerable challenges during the outage. A planned birthday party that evening and the warm weather had led Gilliam to anticipate a bustling night with upwards of 400 customers seeking sno-balls and other cold treats. However, her power went out at 3:30 p.m., briefly returned, and then went down again at 6:30 p.m. The uncertainty regarding power restoration forced Gilliam to close her business for the night, resulting in an estimated loss of revenue and necessitating refunds for customers who were unwilling to wait for the power to return.

Other local businesses were similarly affected. Well-known establishments like The Pool Hub, Heron restaurant, Dillas on Airline Drive, Ralph and Kacoo’s, Twin Cities Car Wash, El Cabo Verde, and Rhino Coffee all faced disruptions and lost business as a result of the outage.

Response from Officials

Lanny Nickell, president and CEO of the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), addressed the power outage during a media conference, explaining the situation. Meanwhile, Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell expressed dissatisfaction with how the outage was handled, highlighting that Louisiana was uniquely impacted compared to the 13 other states under SPP’s jurisdiction. Given the extent of the disruption, Campbell has initiated discussions regarding compensation for affected businesses, which will be addressed in a meeting of the Public Service Commission scheduled for May 19, 2025.

Operational Context of the Southwest Power Pool

The Southwest Power Pool is overseen by the Federal Electric Regulatory Commission (FERC), which does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission. This separation raises questions about the processes in place for accountability regarding power outages, as well as the potential compensation for businesses that have suffered financial losses due to these events.

Looking Ahead

As the community rallies to recover from the power disruption, the unresolved issue of reimbursement for those affected continues to loom large. Campbell’s emphasis on accountability signals forthcoming discussions around safeguarding local businesses against future outages. Business owners like Gilliam are left hoping for swift resolutions to minimize the financial consequences they have faced in the wake of this unexpected power outage.

In the wake of the outage, the community’s resilience will be tested as affected businesses seek pathways to recover, and officials work toward preventing similar incidents in the future.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Severe Weather Alerts Issued for Shreveport
Power Outage Affects 32,000 Customers in Shreveport
Revitalization of Shreveport Business Park Brings Jobs
Shreveport and Bossier Experience Widespread Power Outages
Power Outages in Shreveport and Bossier Affect 30,000 Homes
Power Outages Affect Thousands in Shreveport
Bossier City Residents Left in the Dark Following Unplanned Power Outage
Power Outages Disrupt Bossier and Caddo Parishes
Shreveport Gears Up for Community Cleanup Event
Historic Flooding Grips the South and Midwest

Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER

The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.

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STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER

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