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Insights > Ice, Winds, Thunderstorms in the Forecast
Ice, Winds, Thunderstorms in the Forecast
12/07/2018
Significant weather events continue to threaten the Entergy service territory into Sunday. The current forecast increases the chance for an ice event in northern Arkansas, but decreases the chance for snow. High winds and thunderstorms continue to threaten Texas and southern Louisiana.
We continue finalizing our preparations, and our customers should, too.
- We are moving nearly 300 additional restoration workers to Arkansas from other parts of our territory to help restore electrical service for our customers who may be affected by the storm.
- The forecast indicates the approaching weather system could be challenging.
- Weather forecasts and computer models help us predict what kind of damage and outages these storms may bring.
- We have a plan of continuous preparation, training and action that we call Operation: Storm Ready.
- You can expect regular updates from us through the many available communications channels.
- When restoration starts, keep in mind that if you don’t see us working near you, we may be working on another part of the electrical system that you can’t see but must be repaired to get power to you.
- Ice is particularly harmful to electrical lines:
- Ice can increase the weight of branches by 30 times.
- At 1/8 inch of freezing rain accumulation, small limbs and lines become coated and can cause isolated outages by breaking the weakest limbs that are overhanging services and lines.
- At 1/4 inch of freezing rain accumulation, more limbs and lines become coated, causing similar, but somewhat more widespread outages to the distribution system. Younger evergreen trees will start to become so heavy that they may lean into the distribution lines, causing more outages.
- A 1/2" accumulation on power lines can add 500 pounds of extra weight.
We model anticipated damage and are working through our checklists, have opened local command centers, are stocking up on needed materials, readying our trucks for driving on snow and ice, organizing the manpower and arranging for food and lodging for the crews.
You should finalize your plans, too. We will keep you informed throughout about our response. Here's how you can get information:
- Download our app for your smartphone at entergy.com/app or visit entergystormcenter.com to stay informed on our restoration progress. Newer-model Android users may have difficulty accessing all of the app’s features
- Sign up for text alerts. From your cell phone, text R-E-G to 368374, or visit entergytext.com.
- Visit our View Outages page at stormcenter.com.
- Follow us on Twitter.com/entergy or Facebook.com/entergy.
- Call us at 800-9OUTAGE (800-968-8243).
- Follow updates in your local news media, like radio, television and newspapers.
- Find tips on battling winter’s chill while still keeping a lid on energy bills.
Our preparations include ensuring the safety of our workers.
- Workers will begin restoration when it is safe to do so.
- When it is safe, we can begin restoring service to customers by closing circuit breakers, rerouting power and other means.
- As we learn more about the damage, we put in place a restoration plan that helps us restore the greatest number customers safely in the shortest amount of time.
Make your last-minute preparations.
- Follow instructions from emergency management officials regarding actions you may need to take.
- If you decide to relocate, designate one or more out-of-town contacts whom you may be able to reach more easily during or after the storm.
- Before leaving, prepare your home by turning off your electricity at the main fuse or breaker and your water at the main valve. Also check for and secure objects that could cause damage if blown by high winds.
If you shelter in place, there is more you can do to finalize preparations.
