FORT SMITH (KFSM) -- OG&E Energy Corporation reports about 1,800 people are without power in Fort Smith.
The outage happened around 5 p.m. and power is expected to be completely restored shortly after 7 p.m. this evening (Dec. 17).
The agency reports the outage was possibly caused by a traffic accident.
To be without electricity, on a night when temperatures are near freezing, is difficult -- especially for Rhonda Scott.
She's a registered nurse who lives in Fort Smith, near South L Street and South 21st Street.
Scott is concerned about her neighbor who has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
"I don't know if I should take him to the hospital or wait it out," said Scott, "it's getting really cold in the house and that only exacerbates the condition ... his lungs will begin to shut down."