News Release > Crews Assessing Damage, Restoring Power Following Hurricane Zeta

Crews Assessing Damage, Restoring Power Following Hurricane Zeta

10/29/2020

After working through the night, Entergy’s storm team is continuing to assess damages and restore power after Hurricane Zeta ripped through southeast Louisiana Wednesday evening with 110 mph winds causing extensive damage to the power grid.

At the peak, the Category 2 storm knocked out power to approximately 480,000 customers in Louisiana. Crews have restored power to over 80,000 customers as of 9 a.m. Thursday morning.

The company has assembled a storm team of approximately 5,000 to respond to outages, including making repairs to downed poles, wires and other electrical equipment. Road and flood-gate closures, flooding and other accessibility challenges due to the storm is affecting our ability to reach some areas of our territory and could delay restoration in those communities.

While damage assessments remain underway, crews will prioritize restoring power to critical infrastructure as well as putting together a plan to restore power to the largest number of customers the fastest. Customers will receive estimated times of restoration as damage assessments are complete.

"We know any time without power is too long,” said John Hawkins, Entergy’s vice president of distribution operations in Louisiana. “Our crews and contractors are assessing damages and working to restore power safely and as quickly as possible.  If you are in an area affected by Hurricane Zeta, please remain safe as we work to bring services back to our communities. Please stay away from all downed power lines and electric equipment, and if you’re using a generator, be sure to use it according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.”

Customers are reminded that the time immediately following a storm can be the most dangerous. Please avoid downed power lines and electric equipment and use caution when clearing debris from around your home or business for your safety. For safety tips, including proper generator use, visit entergynewsroom.com/storm-center/safety/.

Entergy urges customers to keep streets open for local emergency vehicles and workers. Additionally, crews will continue to practice social distancing and Entergy asks that customers do the same. For the safety of crews and other first responders, please stay away from work zones. Customers needing assistance 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 messages 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 us on Social Media

Social media plays an important role in keeping customers informed, and the companies place a high priority on updating their social media channels throughout an event. Customers can follow Entergy Louisiana on Facebook and Twitter, and Entergy New Orleans on Facebook and Twitter.

Entergy New Orleans, LLC is an electric and gas utility that serves Louisiana’s Orleans Parish. The company provides electricity to more than 200,000 customers and natural gas to more than 108,000 customers.

Entergy Louisiana, LLC provides electric service to more than 1 million customers and natural gas service to more than 93,000 customers in the greater Baton Rouge area. It has operations in southern, central and northern Louisiana. Both companies are subsidiaries of Entergy Corporation.

Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, including 8,000 megawatts of nuclear power. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.9 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of $11 billion and approximately 13,600 employees.

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