Entergy Arkansas Prepping for Winter Storm; Outages Likely

02/02/2022

PREPARING MATERIALS FOR STORM CREWS

Customers can stay informed via Entergy app, outages map

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – As Winter Storm Landon rapidly closes in on the state, Entergy Arkansas encourages customers to prepare for outages due to freezing rain and ice accumulation likely to affect the service area.

Roughly 3,000 personnel – including transmission and distribution line workers, drone and helicopter operators and scouts, vegetation crews, emergency operations, safety and logistics managers – are placed at strategic locations across the state and ready to begin assessments, repairs and restorations as soon as it’s safe to do so.

“Predicting outages due to winter storms can be challenging, but we know ice brings about a different set of challenges for our crews working to restore power,” said Ventrell Thompson, acting vice president of Entergy Arkansas Customer Service. “It can make roads and walkways treacherous, impact access to our transmission and distribution lines, and generally cause greater damage to the power system as ice accumulates.

“This makes restoration more difficult and time-consuming, so we ask for your patience. In the more heavily impacted areas, customers may experience service interruptions for days, but please know that Entergy Arkansas is working to keep the power on and restore outages as safely and as quickly as possible.”

Freezing rain and ice is particularly harmful to electrical lines and tree limbs, with various effects based on the amount that accumulates.

One-eighth inch of freezing rain coating tree limbs and lines can begin to cause outages by breaking limbs hanging over power lines.

At one-quarter inch of freezing rain accumulation, the problem becomes worse. Younger evergreen trees will start to become heavy and lean into the distribution lines, causing more outages.

One-half inch accumulation of ice can add 500 pounds to power lines or tree limbs, which can snap and fall onto people and property.

COLD WEATHER RESTORATION

Entergy Arkansas uses a methodical and calculated process in bringing customers back online after an outage in very cold weather, regardless of whether the initial cause of the outage was specifically weather-related.

Rather than simply energizing an entire power line all at once, we must bring customers back online one section at a time to avoid damage to our system and making the situation worse. This is standard practice for electric providers.
When power is disrupted during winter, many customers leave their heating systems and appliances turned on, creating too much energy demand all at once when service is restored.
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.
Restoring all customers on the same power line simultaneously can create large, instantaneous power demands. The instant demand could be higher than the built-in protective devices on a line were designed to handle.
Customers without power can help by turning off major appliances but leaving on a lamp or other light to indicate when power is restored. Then, gradually turn other appliances on to spread out the increase in power usage over a longer time.

Stay Informed in Several Ways

An important part of weathering a severe storm includes staying informed before, during and after an event. To stay current on our preparations and restoration efforts:

Download the Entergy app here. Customers can use the app to report outages or check on the status of power at their home or business.
Sign up for text messages about storm and restoration efforts by texting REG to 36778.
Follow Entergy Arkansas on social media, as it plays an important role in keeping customers informed. Search for @EntergyArk on Facebook and Twitter.
The Entergy Storm Center website has storm safety, preparation and restoration information that is updated throughout the day.

Stay Away from Downed Lines

Customers are encouraged stay away from downed lines. If you see downed or low-hanging lines, call 1-800-9OUTAGE to report them.

ABOUT ENTERGY ARKANSAS

Entergy Arkansas provides electricity to approximately 722,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy delivers electricity to three million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of $10 billion and approximately 12,500 employees.

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www.EntergyArkansas.com
www.Twitter.com/EntergyArk
www.Facebook.com/EntergyArk

CUTLINE

Daniel Cushing, a journeyman line worker, moves materials at the West Markham Service Center to stock crews with necessary equipment and resources in preparation for Winter Storm Landon.