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Storm Center > Entergy Arkansas Storm Update – 5/5/21 @ 6 p.m.
Entergy Arkansas Storm Update – 5/5/21 @ 6 p.m.
05/05/2021
A line of severe thunderstorms impacted the state early Tuesday morning producing widespread outages from damaging winds and frequent lightning. As of 6 p.m., 5,160 customers remain without power. Damage assessments have been completed and include 115 broken poles, 244 spans of wire down, 122 spans of wire damaged by trees and limbs and 79 pieces of equipment remaining to be repaired or replaced. Most of the damages remaining are centered around Hot Springs and areas around Walnut Ridge. Our restoration teams are responding to damages as quickly and safely as possible, and approximately 300 additional resources are in the affected areas to support restoration efforts. Our teams will practice social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and this may slow restoration work. For tips and storm updates, visit entergy.com/stormcenter.
Southwest Arkansas
Garland County
As of 6 p.m., there are approximately 831 customers in the Hot Springs Garland County area without power. This is down from a peak of just over 6,000 customer outages on Tuesday.
Damage assessments have been completed and we have identified 64 broken poles, 68 spans of downed wire, 16 spans requiring significant vegetation debris removal and multiple damaged transformers, crossarms and other infrastructure components needing repair.
With the assistance of the over 40 outside line crews assigned to the area, we are making restoration progress on all outage cases. Each outage case is unique and restoration timing will depend upon the extent of the storm related damages and the time required to make needed repairs. Depending upon the extent of damages by area, most customers are expected have service restored by 10 p.m. tonight, and any customers remaining are expected to be restored no later than 10 p.m. tomorrow.
Northeast Arkansas
As of 6 p.m., all damages in Lawrence, Randolph, Clay and Greene Counties have been assessed. In total, we have identified 45 broken poles, 55 spans of downed wire, and 9 transformer equipment pieces remaining to be replaced. 200 additional line workers and servicemen are dispatched in the area assisting with restoration efforts including smaller outages and individual services of customers who can safely take power.
Lawrence County
Crews are continuing to work in and around Walnut Ridge, north to Portia along Hwy 63. Currently, work is being prioritized to restore outages in and around Portia on by 8 p.m. tonight. Due to the complexity of damages, our crews will continue to work in the area tomorrow. We expect all remaining customers who are unable to be restored tonight and can safely take power to be restored by 6 p.m. tomorrow.
Randolph County
Crews have been working in Pocahontas and the surrounding area today. We expect all customers who can safely take power to be restored by 8 p.m. tonight.
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, 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.
- Keep away from the immediate areas where crews are working. There is always the danger of moving equipment and the possibility of construction materials or 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.
- 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. Restoration crews can work safer and faster if they don’t have to work around traffic.
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.
