Insights > Entergy Arkansas storm update – 4/5/23, 6 p.m.

Entergy Arkansas storm update – 4/5/23, 6 p.m.

By: Arkansas Editorial Team

04/05/2023

The restoration process from last week’s tornadoes was temporarily delayed today by the most recent round of thunderstorms that moved across the state today.  As the thunderstorms cleared the state, and conditions became safe to work, crews resumed work to restore power.

Since the tornadoes struck Arkansas last Friday, March 31, Entergy Arkansas has restored more than 64,000 customer interruptions. More than 1,500 utility poles, 435 transformers and nearly 2,000 spans of wire were damaged or destroyed.

About 4,700 customers are without power including over 1,200 outages caused by today’s thunderstorms.

While it is anticipated that the majority of customers without power will have it restored by tomorrow night, unfortunately, about 1,700 outages involve properties that cannot be restored safely because of extensive damage.

IMPORTANT CUSTOMER INFORMATION

Entergy Arkansas has established two Customer Information Centers (CICs) for customers needing information regarding their electric service or accounts. However, current weather is causing the centers to close or have sporadic hours today. The CICs will be back to their normal schedule tomorrow.

In Little Rock, customer service representatives are available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily to answer questions and provide account assistance this week at the Little Rock Family Assistance Center hosted by the city at Immanuel Baptist City Center, 315 N. Shackleford Rd.

In Wynne, representatives for Entergy Arkansas are onsite from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to answer questions and provide account assistance this week, at the Wynne Technology Center, 1790 Falls Blvd.

Customers who have structures that are destroyed and cannot take power are asked to inform Entergy by calling 1-800-ENTERGY (1-800-368-3749). More information regarding options for your electric service has been posted on our Entergy Storm Center.

Some customers still without power may receive messages regarding updated restoration times as more details become clearer. As always, customers can check the outage map for their specific location at entergy.com/viewoutages. About 95% percent of customers who can safely take power to their homes and businesses are expected to be restored by late Thursday night, if not before.

We appreciate your continued patience as we work diligently to safely restore power and build back a more resilient system.

County/Town Information

(4/5/23; 6:00 p.m.)

Pulaski County and Surrounding Areas

West Markham & Cammack Village

Storms moving through the area today could delay some restoration work, but crews are working to restore power as quickly and safely as they can. About 3,992 customers remain without power, and 400 of those outages are a result of the storm that come through central Arkansas today. Since the tornadoes struck the state last Friday, March 31, Entergy Arkansas has restored more than 64,000 customer interruptions.

Much of today’s restoration process is taking place in rear lots where crews must clear and work around storm debris to access the lines and use backyard machines to get equipment in confined areas. In some cases, workers must carry the equipment into the yards and manually climb poles to restore power.

More than 1,500 utility poles, 435 transformers and nearly 2,000 spans of wire were damaged or destroyed. Over 1,100 line and vegetation workers are working to safely restore power to West Markham, Cammack Village, Reservoir, River Ridge, Walnut Valley, Pleasant Valley, and Midtown. Additional personnel and resources are enroute to help with restoration efforts.  Entergy expects most customers that can safely receive service to be restored by Thursday, April 6, 2023, at 11 p.m. however, outages for some customers in heavily impacted areas could see restoration times extended.

• Reservoir District: Entergy has 45 Line crews and additional 40 vegetation crews working to repair multiple broken poles in this area. We expect to restore customers who can safely take power in the Reservoir, Old Forge, Sandford and Foreman Lake areas as well as areas west of Interstate 430 and north of Breckenridge today, April 5.
• Rock Creek: 35 Line Crews and additional 30 vegetation crews are in this area repairing multiple broken poles and several spans. We expect to have 40 customers back on in the Rock Creek area by the end of business tonight. In the areas of Parkway Place/Wood Creek Subdivisions, East of Kirby Road we expect to have 320 customers back on by 11 p.m. tonight April 5.
• Cammack Village: 38 Line Crews and 32 vegetation crews are working to clear debris and repair multiple broken poles and multiple spans of downed wire. Repairs are taking additional time here due to the amounts of vegetative debris that is creating accessibility issues. Crews are utilizing specialized equipment to expedite safe restoration. We expect to restore customers who can safely take power to Englewood, Sunset, and Northridge Roads by tonight, April 5, 2023, at 11 p.m.
• Green Mountain/St Charles: 32 Line Crews and additional 18 vegetation crews are working to clear debris and repair multiple broken poles and downed wire. Additional line crews are expected to be moved into this area today April 5, 2023.

Jacksonville

As of 6 p.m. all customers affected by the tornado damage who can take power have been restored. Entergy crews working between School Dr. and South Redmond replacing 5 broken poles has been delayed due to weather. Customers still without power that are ready for reconnection, please contact us at 1-800- Entergy. 

Sherwood

As of 6 p.m. all customers who can take power have been restored. Customers still without power that are ready for reconnection, please contact us at 1-800- Entergy. 

Cross County and Surrounding Areas

Wynne

Of the 4532 customers in Cross County who lost power during this event, approximately 357 remain without power.  Damage assessments are complete. 601 spans of downed power lines, 414 broken poles, 116 damaged transformers and 358 cross arms were identified in the Wynne area.

Transmission grid repairs were completed and the Wynne Industrial substation was restored to service on Tuesday, April 4. This allowed power to be restored to about 700 customers in the northern portion of Entergy’s service territory in Wynne. We were able to restore power to Hays Grocery and several businesses nearby along with the majority of restaurants along Falls Blvd on Tuesday.

Earlier today we experienced delays in the area due to storms moving through but continued to make repairs as soon as  weather passed.  Crews will continue to work, major rebuild projects  in the areas of, E. L’Anguille, Donald and Pinewood. Customers who live on N Wilson, N Terry, E Jackson, E Forrest, E Poplar and E Hamilton are expected to be restored by Friday morning, April 6 once a major rebuild of lines is completed.

Approximately 223 Entergy workers and contracted resources are engaged in Wynne to safely restore power to impacted customers. Entergy Arkansas expects most customers who can safely receive service to be restored by Friday, April 7, 2023, at 12 p.m. Outages for some customers in heavily impacted areas could see restoration times extended.

Shelters Opened for Customers

Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with our impacted customers and communities. While crews work to restore power, Entergy Arkansas urges customers to keep safety first.

Tags

Arkansas  Storm Center 

Arkansas Editorial Team