News Release > Entergy’s Louisiana storm team assessing damage and restoring power following Hurricane Francine

Entergy’s Louisiana storm team assessing damage and restoring power following Hurricane Francine

09/12/2024

BATON ROUGE, La. – Entergy’s Louisiana storm team consisting of lineworkers, tree trimmers, and scouts, among other support personnel, are working to simultaneously assess the electric system and restore over 300,000 customers who lost power following Hurricane Francine. As of 12:30 p.m., approximately 250,0000 customers across Louisiana were without power, with approximately 50,000 of those being in New Orleans.

Francine made landfall in Terrebonne Parish as a Category 2 storm with sustained winds of around 100 miles per hour. While outages are widespread across southeast Louisiana, the hardest-hit areas appear to be the coastal parts of Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes, as well as parishes like Assumption and Ascension.

Entergy New Orleans and Entergy Louisiana continue to urge everyone to be safe. Stay away from downed power lines as well as flooded areas. Do not walk in standing water and do not venture into areas of debris since you may not be able to see a power line that could still be energized and dangerous. Additionally, never use a generator indoors, including in homes, garages, crawl spaces or partially enclosed areas, even with ventilation. Generators can produce high levels of carbon monoxide very quickly.

“This will be a marathon, not a sprint,” said Deanna Rodriguez president and CEO of Entergy New Orleans. “We’re going as fast and safe as we can. This is not just a restoration effort for us; it’s a matter of helping people get their lives back together as soon as possible.”

The restoration process

Entergy’s Louisiana storm team began restoration efforts overnight after the storm passed and it was safe for crews to begin assessing damage and restoring power. To assess damage in harder to reach areas, we use advanced technology, such as infrared cameras, drones and satellite imagery to assess damage by foot, vehicles, airboats, high-water vehicles and helicopters.

As damage assessments are completed, Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans can provide restoration time estimates; however, where possible, restoration happens in parallel. The restoration process is done in an orderly, deliberate manner. For example, the company works to restore power to essential customers first – hospitals, police, fire, communications and water, sanitary and transportation – and repair lines that could bring power to large numbers of customers as quickly as possible. Power is restored faster in areas with less damage, while restoration times in the hardest hit areas depend on the extent of damage to Entergy’s electrical facilities.

“Just like in past hurricanes, we ask all of our customers – those who have had power restored and those still waiting – to be patient as we work to make repairs,” said Phillip May, president and CEO of Entergy Louisiana. “We understand our customers want to know when they’re going to get their power back and we’re eager to provide that information to them.”

He added, “As we make repairs throughout the day today, our scouts and others will be gathering the necessary intel from the field so that we can develop initial restoration estimates.”

The company is bringing in all available resources to work around the clock to ensure steady progress is made. Customers can stay informed on restoration efforts through the following channels:

• Download the Entergy app. Customers can use the app to report outages or check on the status of power at their home or business.
• Check Entergy’s View Outages map. Maps show where outages are located and give information about restoration progress.
• Follow us Facebook and X at @EntergyLA, @EntergyNOLA, facebook.com/EntergyLA and facebook.com/EntergyNOLA. Social media also plays an important role in keeping you informed, and we place a high priority on updating our social media channels throughout an event.
• Text us: If you are signed up to receive our notifications, you can text OUT to 36778 to report an outage or STAT for the status of your power outage. To sign up for text messaging, go to myEntergy.com or by texting REG to 36778. Have your account number and ZIP code handy. The registration pattern is as follows including spaces: REG (account number) (ZIP code).
• Visit the Entergy Storm Center website. The site has storm safety, preparation and restoration information that is updated throughout the day.
• Download the Operation: Storm Ready Guide. This guide will help you plan and prepare for weather emergencies. Information is also available in Spanish and Vietnamese.

Be aware of scams related to power outages
Customers are reminded that attempts to scam our communities are heightened following any disaster. Remember, Entergy will never accept or require money to reconnect our customers’ electric service after weather-related disconnections. If you suspect a scam, hang up the phone and report it to Entergy at 1-800-ENTERGY.

About Entergy Louisiana

Entergy Louisiana, LLC provides electric service to more than 1 million customers in 58 parishes and natural gas service to more than 94,000 customers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

About Entergy New Orleans

Entergy New Orleans, LLC is an electric and gas utility that serves Louisiana’s Orleans Parish. The company provides electricity to more than 209,000 customers and natural gas to more than 110,000 customers.

Both companies are subsidiaries of Entergy Corporation, a Fortune 500 company that powers life for 3 million customers through operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees.