2002 Ford Taurus Problem with steering, A/C, smoke, check e

Problem started roughly two months ago. Upon starting the vehicile steering seized up, battery light went one and massive amount of white smoke came from under the hood that had a burnt smell. Not a battery issue-- all electric still works except for steering. I took to a repair shop and was told that the problem was stemming from heating/ac unit and the steering wheel belt had snapped. They disconnected the ac and replaced belt. Car ran fine for two months.
Same prolem happened tonight. Car unable to be driven. Is what the repair shop said to me accurate? and if so what can I do to prevent this from happening again?