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Insights > Entergy Prepared for Winter Weather in the Months Ahead
Entergy Prepared for Winter Weather in the Months Ahead
12/08/2021
As hurricane season comes to an end, Entergy remains focused on preparing for what Mother Nature may present in the coming colder months. And while weather can be unpredictable, we remain storm ready no matter the season.
The February storm earlier this year was reported as the coldest outbreak in the U.S. in more than 30 years. In fact, low-temperature records below zero and in the teens dating back to 1903 were met and exceeded in several parts of our service area, especially southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana. Mississippi hadn’t seen single-digit air temperatures in more than three decades.
Following the freeze, we conducted a significant review of our preparedness and protections against extreme conditions, developed a comprehensive plan to better protect our power plants from cold, and made substantial progress in our work on improving those protections. The company also worked with a third party to develop plant-specific and business unit procedures to implement the latest North American Electric Reliability Corporation winter readiness standard that will be used starting this winter season.
Each of our power plants has a customized plan that was developed to support our fleetwide winter preparedness efforts. Preparations across our fleet have been completed, including:
- Insulating critical equipment using improved methods and materials to protect them from lower temperatures.
- Insulating all piping, with the potential for standing water during normal operation, to prevent freezing.
- Designing and building permanent windbreaks or enclosures to protect pumps and other critical equipment.
- Exploring the use of wireless instrument line monitoring systems to monitor temperatures of critical equipment.
Our efforts to prepare and maintain critical systems and infrastructure across the grid in advance of colder temperatures have also included:
- Inspecting and testing equipment that can be impacted by extreme cold such as gas-filled circuit breakers.
- Ensuring the readiness of assets that provide electric service to critical gas infrastructure and other points of delivery that are vital to support generation reliability and resiliency.
- Inspecting and maintaining substations and transmission lines that are critical to Bulk Electric System reliability.
Storm Ready, Year-round
Monitoring severe weather threats is a full-time job, 24/7, 365 days a year. When one arises, we use forecasts and computer models based on experience with previous storms to predict an estimated number and duration of outages that could possibly occur. Based on those estimates, the company calls on restoration workers from around the country to safely get the power back on as safely and quickly as possible for customers. Entergy continuously plans and improves the process of assessing damage, positioning personnel in the right place with the required materials to restore power as safely and quickly as possible.
We take steps to maintain and control vegetation across our service area, completing annual clearing of right-of-way areas to minimize the impact from fallen trees or branches following a storm. Prior to storms impacting our area, vegetation crews perform pre-storm patrols of circuits to mitigate any imminent threats within the right of way. And, we use satellite imagery to help predict when trimming may be needed.
Customers Should Prepare Now
Even if you live where extremely cold temperatures are rare, it's still important to be prepared for freezing weather. Have a kit of basic emergency supplies and a family emergency plan ready as the winter season begins. Act now to begin winterizing your home or business.
During severe winter weather, power lines may be downed from falling branches or other hazards. There is no way for you to know if the line is energized or not. If you see downed or low-hanging lines, stay away and call to report them.
Staying informed before, during and after severe weather strikes is just as important as making personal storm plans. Here’s how you can stay up to date on our preparations and restoration efforts:
- Download the Entergy App here. Customers can use the app to report outages or check on the status of power at their home or business.
- Sign up for text messages about storm and restoration efforts by texting REG to 36778.
- Social media plays an important role in keeping customers informed, and the company places a high priority on updating its social media channels throughout an event with tips. Customers can follow Entergy on Facebook and Twitter.
- The Entergy Storm Center website has storm safety, preparation and restoration information that is updated throughout the day.
