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Storm Center > Entergy Mississippi Winter Storm Update – 2/17/21 @ 1 p.m.
Entergy Mississippi Winter Storm Update – 2/17/21 @ 1 p.m.
02/17/2021
While restoration continues for customers affected by winter storms earlier this week, another winter weather front is expected to affect Entergy Mississippi’s service area today into the evening. As of noon, approximately 2,200 customers remain without power from storms that moved into the state on Sunday. We expect to restore customers in Covington, Simpson, Smith, Pike and Walthall counties who can safely take power by 10 p.m.
As we brace for a second wave of brutal weather, keep in mind that additional freezing rain, ice and extreme cold may lead to more power outages. Restoration may take longer, especially where there are widespread outages, due to weather conditions, accessibility challenges and additional safety measures crews must take.
Conserve Energy to Help Prevent Outages
The extended Arctic weather continues to strain the electric grid. Like much of the country, we are in a precarious situation. The severe cold has resulted in extremely high demand for power across our service region. We are not yet clear of potential further outages similar to those implemented after a call from our regional grid coordinator last night. We need customers to help us manage through this period and are asking you to conserve energy until the extreme cold weather has passed. By being mindful of your electricity usage you are helping prevent the need for additional forced outages.
- Lower the central thermostat to 68 degrees or lower if possible.
- Don’t allow warm air to escape from the home.
- Delay laundry, washing dishes, bathing and other non-essential uses of electricity.
- Wash clothes with cold water, cook foods at the lowest possible setting and limit opening oven doors while baking.
- Turn off or don’t use non-essential lights and electric appliances.
Doing your part to conserve energy can also reduce consumption on your electric bill. Remember that It takes more electricity to heat your home during periods of extreme cold. When using an air conditioner to cool, excess heat is taken from inside your home and moved outside. Heating your home requires a machine inside to make heat and then move it.
What to do if an Outage Occurs
If you do lose power, you can help in the restoration process by turning off major appliances but leaving on a lamp or other light to indicate when power is restored. Then, gradually turn other appliances to spread out the increase in power usage over a longer time. Customers should also be mindful of the following safety tips and ways to stay up to date during an outage.
Safety
- Stay away from downed power lines. You can’t tell from looking at them whether they are energized or not, so assume they are. Report them to 1-800-9OUTAGE.
- Report your power outage online or call 1-800-9OUTAGE. If you report your outage by phone, trust the automated system. There is no need to speak with a customer service representative to report an outage.
- If you have a portable generator, use it safely. DO NOT run it in an enclosed space. If connecting to the whole house, do so only if the connection has been installed by a licensed electrician. More information is available on Entergy Stormcenter.
- Stay clear of linemen as they work. Our crews continue to practice social distancing and we ask that customers do the same.
Stay in touch
- Download the Entergy app for Apple or Android operating systems at Entergy.com/app.
- Register for address-specific alerts by texting REG to 36778. Customers will need an account number and ZIP code. Once registered, text OUT to 36778 to report an outage.
- Follow Entergy Mississippi at Facebook.com/EntergyMS or Twitter.com/EntergyMS.
- Follow updates in local news media, including radio, television and newspapers.
We appreciate your patience and your conservation efforts. For more tips and storm updates, visit entergy.com/winterweather.
