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Insights > Entergy Arkansas winter storm update – 1/12/24, 7:30 p.m.
Entergy Arkansas winter storm update – 1/12/24, 7:30 p.m.
01/12/2024
Entergy Arkansas has restored more than 35,000 power interruptions as a result of severe weather that impacted the state overnight Thursday and throughout Friday. As of 7:30 p.m., just over 4,000 outages remain. Peak outages reached 18,600 Friday morning around 9:30 a.m. Crews are continuing to work in below freezing temperatures to ensure we provide premier service for our valued customers.
High wind, torrential rain, and lightning were the main contributing factors to the outages as they brought down power lines and other equipment, including transmission structures and distribution poles. All parts of the state were impacted, with the hardest hit areas being in the southeast and southwest regions.
- A large percentage of the customers are expected to be restored by 10 p.m. today with a small portion of customers in the hardest hit networks of Hot Springs, Pine Bluff, Warren, Helena, Batesville and Harrisburg carrying over into tomorrow. Resources from across the state have been mobilized to these areas to assist with restoring power as safely and quickly as possible.
Estimated restoration times will be updated as crews continue working to restore power to all customers. Customers can get updates on their outages though the Entergy app or by visiting the online map at entergy.com/viewoutages.
Please remember to stay away from downed lines and report outages on the MyEntergy app or by calling 1-800-ENTERGY. Be careful of piles of debris which can obscure downed power lines that may still be energized.
Extreme cold temperatures and winter precipitation on the way
According to the National Weather Service, a widespread winter storm is expected to impact Arkansas beginning Sunday. The forecast calls for below freezing temperatures continuing over several days, with winter precipitation beginning Sunday evening into Monday. Check your local weather forecast for more specific timing and accumulation totals.
Entergy Arkansas is here for you! We are prepared for severe weather and have assembled our restoration resources, to ensure we have the people and resources ready to respond to outages quickly and safely should they occur, and we recommend customers prepare as well. Disconnects have been suspended through Monday, Jan. 22. For preparation tips and cold weather updates, visit entergy.com/cold.
Winter weather restoration process
Be sure to report any outages to Entergy by calling 1-800-9OUTAGE or 1-800-968-8243 as soon as possible to ensure that we are aware your power is out. If there are widespread outages, we will deploy scouts to assess damage in all affected areas. Estimated restoration times will be based on those assessments of damage, equipment and resources needed. We will communicate these estimates with you, updating as new information becomes available. Our crews will simultaneously be restoring service where it is deemed safe to do so. We ask for your patience, and please know restoring your power safely and quickly is our top priority.
Because of the extreme cold, please be aware that restoration times can be delayed. Please be aware the restoration process can be hampered by the surge of instantaneous electrical demand from appliances (heating units, water heaters, etc.) commonly known as cold load when service is restored to your location, potentially overloading protective devices on Entergy’s electrical system. To help mitigate this problem, Entergy encourages you to turn off or disconnect any electrical heaters or electrical appliances that can easily be turned off until power is restored, and gradually power them on once power has been restored to your location.
Stay safe
Please watch for any power lines that have fallen into trees or onto the ground. Stay away from any downed power lines and report them to 1-800-ENTERGY.
Entergy Arkansas urges customers to keep safety first. Here are some tips to keep you safe while we restore your power.
- Live wires can be deadly. Stay away from downed power lines. Call 1-800-9OUTAGE or 1-800-968-8243 to report downed or dangling power lines, damaged or downed poles or other damaged equipment.
- Do not trim trees or remove debris on or near downed power lines. Only power company crews or their contractors should remove trees or limbs touching power lines. Again, stay away from downed power lines.
- Keep away from the immediate areas where crews are working. There is always the danger of moving equipment and the possibility of construction materials, limbs or overhead wires falling to the ground.
- If you plan on using a generator for temporary power, get a licensed electrician and disconnect from the utility electric system before hooking up to your main electric panel.
- Do not run a generator in a confined space without adequate ventilation. Use them only outdoors, following all manufacturers’ safety guidelines.
- Turn off any electrical appliances that can easily be turned to the off position until power is restored.
- Try to stay off the roads in affected areas. More traffic in bad weather leads to more accidents, including more injuries and fatalities as well as accidents that can damage electrical poles and other equipment, creating outages and impeding the ability of crews to access and repair damage and slowing restoration.
Stay informed
We want to keep you informed and in control. The best way to get information about outages is via Entergy’s View Outage page on our website.
- Download our app for your smartphone at entergy.com/app or visit Entergy Storm Center to stay informed on our restoration progress.
- To ensure you receive notifications from Entergy, customers are encouraged to verify their contact information in their myEntergy account.
- Sign up for text alerts. From your cell phone, text REG to 368374, or visit entergytext.com.
- Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter @EntergyARK.
- Follow updates in your local news media, like radio, television, and newspapers.
- If a storm impacts your area, you can report an outage quickly and easily through our digital options – using either our free mobile app, online at myEntergy.com, or by texting OUT to 36778.
