Insights > The severe weather is moving across our territory, bringing the potential for more power outages

The severe weather is moving across our territory, bringing the potential for more power outages

By: Corporate Editorial Team

03/17/2021

Severe weather continues moving through our service territory and should leave by late tonight. The storms are capable of producing thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail, damaging winds, flash flooding and lightning.

The severity of the predicted weather increased for Mississippi since this morning. We have requested additional workers to help restore service for our Mississippi customers.

Our workforce is already restoring service where it is safe to do so in areas where the storms have passed. We can’t use our bucket trucks until sustained winds are less than 30 mph, but we can still restore service to customers by closing circuit breakers, rerouting power and other actions.

We use a methodical and calculated process in bringing customers back online after an outage, regardless of whether the initial cause of the outage was specifically weather-related.

• Customers without power can help in the restoration process by turning off or unplugging major appliances like refrigerators, washer and dryer units or A/C window units.
• Leave on a lamp or other light to show when power is restored, then gradually turn on appliances to help spread the increase in power usage over a longer period.
• We bring customers back online in sections to avoid damage to our system that could adversely affect restoration.
• Restoring all customers on the same power line has the potential to create large, instantaneous power demands. The instant demand could be higher than the built-in protective devices on a line can handle.
• We have devices that protect our system during times of normal, day-to-day operations and power demand. During weather extremes, we must change our processes to protect our system and restore power in a way that best ensures safety and reliability for our customers.

For our workers’ safety, we cannot operate our bucket trucks when winds and yours, 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 (1-800-368-3749).

You can expect regular updates from us through the many available communications channels.

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. 

If you lose power:

• Stay away from downed power lines. You can’t tell from looking at them whether they are energized or not, so assume they are. Report them to 1-800-9OUTAGE (1-800-968-8243).
• Report your power outage online or call 1-800-9OUTAGE (1-800-968-8243).
• If you report your outage by phone, trust the automated system. It works very well. There is no need to speak with a customer service representative to report an outage.
• If you have a portable generator, use it safely. DO NOT run it in an enclosed space. If connecting to the whole house, do so only if the connection has been installed by a licensed electrician. More information is available on Entergy Stormcenter.
• Do not open your refrigerator or freezer door. Food will stay cold much longer this way.
• Stay clear of linemen as they work.

To stay up to date on outages and restoration:

• Download our free app for your smartphone at entergy.com/app.
• 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.
• Visit “View Outages” at EntergyStormCenter.com.
• Follow us on Twitter.com/entergy or Facebook.com/entergy.
• Call us at 800-9OUTAGE (1-800-968-8243).
• Follow updates in your local news media, like radio, TV and newspapers.
• On our View Outages page, the visual map image, including the red and green lines and icons reflect accurate outage information. We are experiencing a delay in updating the ZIP code, parish and total counts of outage numbers. We are working to resolve the issue and ask customers to view the actual map for outage information. We apologize for the inconvenience.

COVID-19 Precautions

• We also are maintaining safety precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with our standard storm preparations, we are taking additional steps to adjust office settings and crew staging locations, to helping team members maintain social distancing.
• Guidelines have been provided to field crews to ensure social distancing can be maintained while working, with the direction that if the crew is not able to maintain adequate social distance the job or task should be postponed. Crews are encouraged to use stop-work authority if job conditions change that prevent social distancing.

Tags

Storm Center  Entergy System 

Corporate Editorial Team