Search
Insights > Entergy Texas Tropical Storm Beta Update – Monday, Sept. 21, 2020
Entergy Texas Tropical Storm Beta Update – Monday, Sept. 21, 2020
09/21/2020
Potential Tropical Storm Beta Event
September 21, 2020 Monday, 2:00 pm
TEXAS
Entergy Texas, Inc. continues to monitor the potential impacts from Tropical Storm Beta. The National Weather Service has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for parts of the Gulf Coast and anticipates the storm may produce strong winds, heavy rains and flash flooding across Southeast Texas.
Entergy Texas crews are prepared to safely restore service to customers as quickly as possible when conditions permit. With the potential for flooding, restoration times could be extended in some areas, where flooding makes it difficult to move crews and access our facilities. In addition to bringing in additional crews, Entergy Texas has also mobilized high water vehicles and other equipment to aid in the restoration effort.
As we continue to monitor Tropical Storm Beta and prepare for its impacts to Southeast Texas, we encourage our customers to do the same. Given the uncertainty and slow track of the storm, our region could start seeing impacts from Beta as early as this evening, and customers should be prepared for severe weather including flooding through the middle part of next week. We are starting to see higher than normal waters areas along the coast in Port Arthur and Port Bolivar.
Although power has been restored to all customers in Texas following Hurricane Laura, crews continue to work repair damage to the region’s transmission system. While these transmission structures are being repaired, Entergy Texas’ engineering and operations groups are working to ensure the safe and stable operation of the electric grid.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, crews will continue to practice social distancing while in the field, and Entergy asks that customers do the same. For the safety of crews and customers, please stay away from work zones. If there is a need to report a service problem, customers should call 1-800-ENTERGY.
Stay Informed
Staying informed before, during and after a tropical system strikes is just as important as making personal storm plans. Here’s how customers can stay updated throughout the event:
- Download the Entergy App at entergyapp.com. Customers can use the app to report outages or check on the status of power at their home or business.
- Entergy’s View Outages website includes maps that show where outages are located and give information about restoration progress.
- Sign up for text alerts by texting REG to 36778 and have your account number and ZIP code handy. The registration pattern is as follows including spaces: REG (account number) (ZIP code). Once registered, text OUT to 36778 to report an outage. You can also report an outage online as a guest.
- The Entergy Storm Center website has storm safety, preparation and restoration information that is updated throughout the day.
- Operation: Storm Ready Guide is a free downloadable guide that helps customers plan and prepare for weather emergencies.
- Follow updates in your local news media, like radio, television and newspapers.
Follow us on Social Media
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. Customers can follow Entergy Texas on Facebook and Twitter.
Safety Tips
For the safety of our crews, please stay away from their work zones. If you need to report a problem with your service or get bill payment help, we’re just a phone call away: 1-800-ENTERGY.
For additional preparation tips and updates visit www.entergy.com/stormcenter
As with any weather event, please be mindful of the following safety tips:
- 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, 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.
- Keep away from the immediate areas where crews are working. There is always the danger of moving equipment and the possibility of construction materials or 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 home main electric panel.
- Do not run a generator in a confined space without adequate ventilation.
- Avoid using candles or other flammable devices to warm your home.
- Check on seniors, who can be particularly susceptible to extreme temperatures.
- 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.
