Insights > Entergy Hurricane Francine update – 9/10/24, 5 p.m.

Entergy Hurricane Francine update – 9/10/24, 5 p.m.

By: Corporate Editorial Team

09/10/2024

We are preparing for impacts across our service area from Hurricane Francine. According to the National Hurricane Center's latest forecast, Francine may strengthen significantly before it reaches the coast. Francine is currently expected to make landfall on the Louisiana coast near Vermilion Bay Wednesday. We are prepared and we want you to be prepared, too.  

We encourage you to finalize your preparations as Hurricane Francine approaches. Francine is forecasted to make landfall with maximum winds up to 90 mph. Note, while our resilience efforts are already underway in some parts of our service area, construction began in Louisiana this July on Phase I of the approved resilience plan and will last approximately five years.

Based on historical restoration times, customers in the direct path of a Category 1 hurricane can experience outages for up to seven days, up to 10 days for a Category 2 and up to two weeks for a Category 3.

While we conduct year-round reliability work to maintain and improve the electric system—including trimming trees and limbs away from power lines and other critical equipment—there is ongoing concern about the impact of last year’s drought and other environmental factors on vegetation across our service area. This is being addressed where possible in the companies’ preparations.

Transmission lines and facilities, along with our power plants, are inspected in preparation for extreme weather conditions. This is also part of our regular maintenance routine – which occurs before, during and after hurricane season.

We have a proven plan of continuous preparation, planning and training. As severe weather threatens, we monitor, mobilize and act. We stand storm ready. 

Most important is the safety of those living and working in communities hit by big storms or severe weather. Safety always comes first. Then, restoring power is the top priority and first order of business. We assemble and organize the workforce needed to restore service safely and quickly to all customers. 

We have currently acquired approximately 4,730 restoration workers ready to restore service for customers whose power may be affected by Francine. As additional resources are requested, we expect to acquire approximately 5,000 resources based on Francine’s current forecast. These resources include company employees, contractors and mutual aid resources numbering approximately 1,035 in Mississippi, 2,995 in Louisiana, 150 in New Orleans and 550 in Texas.

We are committed to keeping our employees safe and sheltered during dangerous periods caused by high winds, flooding and other severe storm conditions. Keeping our workers safe from worsening weather conditions may limit our ability to restore service as quickly as we’d all like. 

Entergy’s utility nuclear plants continue to function normally with no threats to operations. Although the storm is not anticipated to impact our nuclear stations, we’ve entered severe weather procedures that ensure our readiness at Waterford 3 and River Bend Station in Louisiana, and Grand Gulf Nuclear Station in Mississippi. Those procedures include walk-downs, securing of equipment and contingency staffing plans.

We urge customers to remain safe and avoid downed power lines and flooded areas. Do not walk in standing water or venture into areas of debris since energized and dangerous power lines may not be visible.

Hurricanes cause extensive damage, leading to extended outages for some customers.

Estimates before landfall:

• Before a hurricane makes landfall, we estimate restoration timelines based on the category, intensity, forward speed, rainfall, size and track of the storm.
• These are only estimates.​ After a storm passes, we conduct damage assessments to be able to provide more specific restoration times.
• While the majority of customers may be restored quicker, some of the hardest hit areas and/or restoration work that brings additional complexities may take longer, for example, access difficulty that requires special equipment, working in marsh land or repairing lines over bodies of water.
• Customers could experience outages up to the timeframe estimated below, based on the storm’s path and impact:​
  • Category 1 – On average 70% of customers are restored in two to three days, however some areas could take up to seven days​ if in an area hit the hardest. All storms are unique and often bring additional complexities in the restoration process that could extend restoration times, such as access difficulty that requires special equipment, working in marshland or repairing lines over bodies of water.
  • Category 2 – On average 70% of customers are restored in four to seven days, however some areas could take up to 10 days​ if in an area hit the hardest. All storms are unique and often bring additional complexities in the restoration process that could extend restoration times, such as access difficulty that requires special equipment, working in marshland or repairing lines over bodies of water.
  • Category 3 – On average 70% of customers are restored in six to nine days, however some areas could take up to two weeks if in an area hit the hardest. All storms are unique and often bring additional complexities in the restoration process that could extend restoration times, such as access difficulty that requires special equipment, working in marsh land or repairing lines over bodies of water.

Estimates after landfall​:

• Each storm brings unique challenges, and we strive to share an accurate estimated restoration time to customers within 48-72 hours following a major storm.​
• As damage assessments are completed, we can provide better estimates to customers.​
• Power is restored faster in areas with less damage, while restoration times in the hardest hit areas depend on the extent of damage to Entergy’s electrical facilities. ​

We are storm ready. 

• When a weather threat is confirmed, we use weather forecasts and computer models based on knowledge from past storms to predict an estimated duration and number of outages that could occur. 
• We follow a very detailed, rehearsed plan that has worked well for us during storm recovery.  
• Every storm is unique, so while plans are rehearsed and in place, we also adapt to ever-changing conditions brought by Mother Nature. 
• As a storm approaches, we ramp up support. 
  • We secure and mobilize our crews, contractors and mutual assistance partners. Within approximately 24 hours of a weather event, we set up staging sites as needed that provide lodging, dining and sanitary facilities for workers in the field, as well as vehicle maintenance and supply depots.  
  • Entergy employees across the company have a storm role. They provide the support needed to keep the restoration moving. 

We are prepared. 

• We prepare for the worst of what Mother Nature might bring, because our customers live in areas prone to some of the most severe weather in the country. 
• Monitoring weather threats is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year job. 
• Storm preparations are performed 365 days/year – from inspections and vegetation management to training and industry collaboration. 
  • Transmission and distribution lines and facilities, along with our power plants, are inspected in preparation for extreme weather conditions.  
  • We inspect utility poles annually and replace damaged or broken poles when necessary. 
  • We work proactive maintenance plans throughout the year, replacing outdated equipment with more reliable and modern infrastructure.  
  • Trees and other vegetation are a leading cause of power outages. That’s why we annually clear right-of-way areas to minimize the impact from fallen trees or branches. We also perform pre-storm patrols of circuits to mitigate any imminent threats within the right of way. 

Customers should prepare before weather threatens their area.  

• Make a plan, make a kit. Be prepared before weather threatens our area. 
  • Experts agree that having a family emergency plan and a kit of the basic supplies needed in an emergency is the best way to be prepared for severe weather. 
  • A kit of basic emergency supplies and a first aid kit are easy to assemble and are smart ways to prepare for severe weather.  
  • Remember to regularly check the expiration dates on supplies and replace expired items. 
• Prepare your home. Simple preparations can help protect your property from storms and their aftermath. 
  • Cover your windows with plywood or permanent hurricane shutters to protect against high winds and flying debris. 
  • Trim trees and shrubs near your house to help make them more wind resistant and lessen the likelihood of them damaging your house. 
  • Clean out gutters and drainpipes, removing any debris. 
  • Bring in or secure outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that high winds can blow away.
• As a storm approaches, follow instructions from emergency management officials regarding evacuations or other actions required. 
  • Before leaving, prepare your property by turning off the electricity at the main fuse or breaker and the water at the main valve. Also, check for and secure objects that could cause damage if blown by high winds. 
  • If you evacuate, designate one or more out-of-town contacts whom you may be able to reach more easily during or after the storm.  
  • If no evacuation is called and you shelter in place, make sure you have basic emergency and first aid supplies. 
  • Update contact information at myEntergy.com to ensure you receive important restoration information. 

Customers should stay connected with us throughout a storm. 

• As you make your plans, we will keep you informed throughout about our response.  
• It is very important for customers to update their contact information with us to receive urgent messages.  
• We send storm and restoration updates by text or phone call to customers who are signed up to receive our notifications. 
  • We encourage all customers to check their Entergy mobile app before landfall to ensure you have the latest version or download our free app for your smartphone at entergy.com/app.
  • Sign up ahead of a storm: myEntergy.com or by texting REG to 36778. 
    • Customers should have their account number and ZIP code handy. 
    • The registration pattern is as follows, including spaces: REG (account number) (ZIP code).  
    • Notifications will only be sent to the contact information supplied and selected by our customers. 
  • Visit our Storm Center, a one-stop website for information on storm safety, preparation, restoration and regular updates specific to the storm. You can also access the View Outages map from here.  
  • Storm-related updates are also shared on Twitter and Facebook. 
  • Our View Outage map provides outage status and estimated restoration information to customers across the company’s service area.

Tags

Corporate  Louisiana  New Orleans  Texas  Storm Center  Hurricane Francine 

Corporate Editorial Team