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Storm Center > Entergy Arkansas storm update – 5/8/24, 8 p.m.
Entergy Arkansas storm update – 5/8/24, 8 p.m.
05/08/2024
Entergy Arkansas continues to make significant progress to restore power to more than 21,053 customers impacted by severe weather in the Hot Springs and Little Rock areas. The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado touched down in Hot Springs early this morning causing significant damage around the Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine areas. That storm cell then moved across Southwest Little Rock in the Baseline network causing damage. Currently, approximately 2,300 Entergy customers remain without power.
Damage assessment is expected to be 100% complete today unless there are accessibility issues in the hardest hit areas. There are 387 vegetation resources engaged to remove fallen trees in the impacted Hot Springs and Little Rock areas.
Consistent with our commitment to powering life for our customers every day, our crews are rebuilding the system with thicker, stronger poles. In some cases, concrete poles are being used to improve system infrastructure and make it more resilient.
We apologize for the inconvenience. Our crews are working as quickly and safely as possible to restore power.
Restoration Times
Currently, the estimated restoration time for customers who can safely receive power is tonight by 10 p.m. Estimated restoration times may change as damage assessments are completed or if there are additional weather impacts.
County/Town Information (5/8/24; 7 p.m.)
Garland County/Hot Springs
As of 7 p.m. crews have been able to reduce the number of customers without power to approximately 1,900. As restoration efforts continue, the next round of severe weather could delay these efforts.
Much of today’s restoration process required crews to clear paths to access damaged facilities and safely work around storm debris. Despite the access issues, damage assessment is 90% completion.
Approximately 60 utility poles, 7 transformers, 13 crossarms and nearly 88 spans of wire were damaged or destroyed during the storm. Additional personnel and resources have been brought in to help with restoration efforts. Over 1,100 line and vegetation workers are working to safely restore power in this area. Estimated restoration time for customers who can safely receive power is tonight by 10 p.m. However, due to accessibility issues caused by vegetative debris in the Peninsula, Long Island, Shady Heights, and Amity neighborhoods, estimated restoration is expected to be Thursday, May 9, at 10 p.m. Crews are utilizing specialized equipment to expedite safe restoration of these areas.
Forecasted second severe weather event
Our crews plan and train for storm readiness year-round, which aides us in restoring power as safely and quickly as possible.
In anticipation of more severe weather tonight, approximately 200 additional line workers from Louisiana and Texas will be available to assist with restoration efforts. These resources will arrive in the state ahead of the next round of severe weather.
Please make sure your account information is updated by visiting myentergy.com to ensure you receive important notifications from Entergy throughout a storm event. Download the free Entergy mobile app and monitor the company’s View Outage map, Storm Center and social media channels. Additional information on these tools can be found at entergynewsroom.com/storm-center/stayinformed.
To be ready before a storm threatens, customers are encouraged to put together a kit that includes emergency supplies and items like important personal documents and contacts, flashlights, and cell phone chargers. Additional suggestions on what to include in a kit can be found at entergynewsroom.com/storm-center/plankit.
Also, it is important to know how to remain safe before, during and after a storm. Customers are encouraged to monitor news reports and be aware of any evacuation directions from local authorities. If a storm does impact the area, please remember to use generators safely and avoid downed power lines, as well as utility crews and their worksites. Additional safety tips can be found at entergynewsroom.com/storm-center/safety.
Thank you for being a valued Entergy Arkansas customer. Stay connected as we continue to navigate this weather together.
While crews work to restore power, Entergy Arkansas urges customers to keep safety first.
Here are some tips to keep you safe while we restore your power:
- 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 REG 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.
