Storm Center > Entergy Arkansas storm update – 1/26/23, 11 a.m.

Entergy Arkansas storm update – 1/26/23, 11 a.m.

By: Arkansas Editorial Team

01/26/2023

The winter storm that exited the state Wednesday greatly impacted the north and northwest areas bringing sleet, strong wind gusts and wet snow accumulations up to 8-10 inches in some areas. The winter precipitation and high winds resulted in damages causing about 36,000 customer outages at the peak Wednesday. As of this morning, customer outages have been reduced by over 60% to 14,200, and we anticipate nearly 90% of customers will be restored by 10 p.m. tonight. All remaining customers who can safely receive power in the hardest-hit areas are expected to be restored by 10 p.m. Friday.

Crews began working earlier this week to prepare for the winter storm. Nearly 1,300 additional restoration workers are working to restore power in the impacted areas.

Temperatures are expected to rise above freezing today improving working conditions for our crews; however, damage to power lines and the challenge of navigating off road in mountainous areas to reach damaged equipment may take longer than normal to be repaired and restored. In some cases, special equipment is being brought into affected areas where crews continue to work to restore outages as quickly and safely as possible.

For additional tips and updates, visit entergy.com/stormcenter.

Greatest Impacted Area Outage Numbers

(1-26-23; 11:00am)

STORM RESTORATION PROCESS

After the winter storm impact, we deploy scouts to assess damage. Our scouts will work as quickly and safely as possible. As damages are being assessed, we will communicate the conditions found, an estimated restoration time when available and our progress toward restoring your power. While our scouts gather more information on damages, our crews will simultaneously be restoring service where it is deemed safe to do so. Some customers may experience intermittent power disruptions during the restoration process. We ask for your patience, and please know restoring your power safely and quickly is our top priority.

Please be aware the restoration process can be hampered by the surge of instantaneous electrical demand from appliances (heating units, water heaters, etc.) when service is restored to your location, potentially overloading protective devices on Entergy’s electrical system. To help mitigate this problem, Entergy encourages you to turn off any electrical heaters or electrical appliances that can easily be turned off until power is restored.

As with any weather event, please be mindful of the following safety tips:

• Live wires can be deadly. Stay away from downed power lines. Call 1-800-9OUTAGE or 1-800-968-8243 to report downed or dangling power lines, damaged or downed poles or other damaged equipment.
• Do not trim trees or remove debris on or near downed power lines. Only power company crews or their contractors should remove trees or limbs touching power lines. Again, stay away from downed power lines.
• Keep away from the immediate areas where crews are working. There is always the danger of moving equipment and the possibility of construction materials, limbs or overhead wires falling to the ground.
• If you plan on using a generator for temporary power, get a licensed electrician and disconnect from the utility electric system before hooking up to your main electric panel. 
• Do not run a generator in a confined space without adequate ventilation. Use them only outdoors, following all manufacturers’ safety guidelines.
• Turn off any electrical appliances that can easily be turned to the off position until power is restored.
• Check on seniors, who can be particularly susceptible to extreme temperatures.
• Try to stay off the roads in affected areas. More traffic in bad weather leads to more accidents, including more injuries and fatalities as well as accidents that can damage electrical poles and other equipment, creating outages and impeding the ability of crews to access and repair damage and slowing restoration.

We want to keep you informed and in control. The best way to get information about outages is via Entergy’s View Outage page on our website. Additional resources for your convenience:

• Download our app for your smartphone at entergy.com/app or visit Entergy Storm Center to stay informed on our restoration progress.
• Sign up for text alerts. From your cell phone, text R E G to 368374, or visit entergytext.com.
• Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter @EntergyARK.
• Follow updates in your local news media, like radio, television, and newspapers.

Tags

Arkansas  Storm Center 

Arkansas Editorial Team