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Insights > Storms Will Move Eastward Across Our Service Territory Today
Storms Will Move Eastward Across Our Service Territory Today
03/17/2021
Severe weather is beginning to affect the Arkansas portion of our service territory. The line of possible thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail, damaging winds, flash flooding and lightning will move eastward across our territory today. Severe thunderstorms will affect most of Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas this afternoon, move into Mississippi this evening and into Alabama tonight.
We are ready to respond to these storms. We have assembled and organized our workforce needed to restore service safely and quickly to our customers and will adjust our plans as needed to restore outages caused by these storms.
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. To help ensure a smooth resumption of service, we ask that customers experiencing outages turn off or unplug their air conditioners and large appliances so that when power is restored, those appliances may be turned back on gradually.
- 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.
- Customers without power can help in the restoration process by turning off major appliances but leaving on a lamp or other light to indicate when power is restored. Then, gradually turn other appliances to spread out the increase in power usage over a longer time.
For our workers’ safety 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 (1-800-968-8243).
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.
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.
