Storm Center > Entergy Arkansas storm update – 8/19/24, 7:30 p.m.

Entergy Arkansas storm update – 8/19/24, 7:30 p.m.
By: Arkansas Editorial Team

08/19/2024

We understand how power outages impact your life and appreciate your patience as crews continue to work as quickly and safely as possible to restore power.

Several rounds of strong winds, lightning and heavy rain moved through the state on Aug. 18, continuing into the early morning hours of Aug. 19, resulting in a peak of 39,000 customer outages. Entergy Arkansas crews have safely restored power to over 85% of customers within the first 24 hours of initial impact. The storms broke dozens of utility poles, as well as damaged transformers and wire.

Crews worked overnight and throughout the day to safely restore as many customers as possible.  Crews will continue working to restore power to the remaining 5,747 customers.

Currently, the estimated restoration time for the majority of customers who can safely receive power is tomorrow by 10 p.m. However, it is possible that some customers in the hardest-hit areas of Russellville and Hot Springs could see their power restored Wednesday. Estimated restoration times may change as damage assessments are completed or if there are additional weather impacts. Visit entergy.com/viewoutages for the latest restoration times for your location.

RESTORATION TIMES

Pope County

Russellville

Damage assessments are still ongoing. Currently 2,822 customers remain without power in Russellville and surrounding areas. Approximately nine utility poles, 40 transformers, one crossarms and nine spans of wire were damaged or destroyed during the storm. A span of wire is the distance between two utility poles. Additional personnel and resources have been brought in to help with restoration. We estimate most of the customers who can receive power will be restored by Tuesday at 10 p.m.

Garland County

Hot Springs

Damage assessments are ongoing. Currently 1,263 customers remain without power in Hot Springs and surrounding areas. Approximately 58 utility poles, 17 transformers, 31 crossarms and 214 spans of wire were damaged or destroyed during the storm. Additional personnel and resources have been brought in to help with restoration. We estimate the majority of customers who can receive power will be restored by Tuesday at 10 p.m.

Jefferson County

Pine Bluff

Damage assessments are continuing. Currently 326 customers remain without power in Pine Bluff and surrounding areas. Approximately two utility poles and nine spans of wire were damaged or destroyed during the storm. Additional personnel and resources have been brought in to help with restoration efforts. We estimate all customers who can receive power will be restored by Tuesday at 10 p.m.

Desha County

McGehee

Damage assessments are underway. Currently 366 customers remain without power in McGehee and surrounding areas. Approximately three spans of wire were damaged or destroyed during the storm. Additional personnel and resources have been brought in to help with restoration efforts. We estimate all customers who can receive power will be restored by Tuesday at 10 p.m.

Thank you for being a valued Entergy Arkansas customer. For real-time updates, please continue to visit the View Outage map.

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.

Our crews plan and train for storm readiness year-round, which aides us in restoring power as safely and quickly as possible.

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.

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.
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Arkansas  Storm Center 
Arkansas Editorial Team
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