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Storm Center > We are Prepared for Possible Severe Weather
We are Prepared for Possible Severe Weather
06/17/2021
Disturbance 4 is in the central portion of the Gulf and is moving north-northwest. Disturbance 4 will likely become a tropical storm within the next 24 hours. It is forecast to make landfall early Saturday along the central Louisiana coast. Strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible over southern Louisiana Friday afternoon through Saturday.
We are prepared for the possibility that this weather system could bring severe thunderstorms, strong winds, heavy rains, higher tides and coastal flooding. We want you to be prepared, too.
The potential for several inches of rain could lead to flash flooding. Flooding can occur slowly, as rain continues to fall for many days, or it can happen very quickly. Flash floods develop with little or no warning. Learn how you can be prepared for flooding in your area.
We are continuously learning and improving from storm experiences.
- We have experience repairing the damage major storms have caused in recent years, especially during last year’s record-setting hurricane season. We are ready to take appropriate action before, during and after severe weather.
- Based on previous storm responses and annual storm exercises, we are constantly updating and improving our operations related to storm damage restoration.
- Operation: Storm Ready is our internal process of continuous planning, preparation and training. And an early step, when facing a storm, is to prepare to bring in extra personnel to support the effort.
- We have worked to storm-harden our system. From aggressive preventive maintenance programs to using steel transmission structures near the coast, elevating substations that might flood and installing “isolation” devices on lines to reduce outages, our goal is always to restore power safely and quickly.
The time to be storm ready is now. Preparation for potential severe weather is vital for us and you, our highly valued customers.
- Above all, stay safe. A personal plan for you and your family is the best way to stay safe and be storm ready.
- Click here for planning tools that can help guide you through the decisions you need to make.
- Whether you shelter in place or leave, you should protect your home.
- Decide to stay or go well before the storm strikes.
- Basic emergency supplies and a first-aid kit are key items to keep on-hand during severe weather.
- Click here in advance for details on how to prepare for hurricanes and other types of storms.
- For our gas customers in Louisiana, if you plan to evacuate in advance of a storm, you may leave your gas service turned on. Only turn off your gas service if you feel comfortable doing so and can do it safely.
Safety is our core value and always comes first. Then, restoring power is the top priority and first order of business.
- We assemble and organize the workforce needed to restore service safely and quickly to our customers.
- We continuously keep our communities informed throughout a storm using the following channels:
- Download our free app for your smartphone at entergy.com/app.
- Sign up for text alerts by texting REG to 36778 and have your account number and ZIP code handy. The registration pattern is as follows including spaces: REG (account number) (ZIP code). Once registered, text OUT to 36778 to report an outage. You can also report an outage online as a guest.
- Visit the Entergy Storm Center website and our View Outages page.
- Follow us on Twitter.com/entergy or Facebook.com/entergy.
- Call us at 800-9OUTAGE (1-800-968-8243).
- Follow updates in your local news media, like radio, television and newspapers. Following a storm, we deploy scouts to assess damage. It may take up to three days before we know how long until power is restored.
Unfortunately, attempts to scam customers appeared during the 2020 hurricane season. We caution customers to be aware of unscrupulous attempts to swindle our customers.
- Entergy never demands immediate payment from customers over the phone. You shouldn't give your personal information to strangers.
- If a call sounds suspicious, hang-up and call 1-800-ENTERGY (1-800-368-3749) to speak directly with an Entergy customer service representative.
- If you believe you are a victim of this scam, notify the proper authorities, such as the local police or the state attorney general's office.
Our employees are our greatest assets; we will keep our workers safe during a storm response.
- As safety is always the highest of priorities, and as we assess the damage, we’ll begin restoring service where it is deemed sound to do so.
- Keeping our workers safe from worsening weather conditions may limit our ability to restore service as quickly as we’d all like.
- We are committed to keeping our employees safe and sheltered during dangerous periods caused by high winds, flooding and other severe storm conditions.
Customer Safety
You should stay safe as we restore service outages caused by Disturbance 4.
- There is no way to know if a downed line or piece of equipment is energized or not, so if you see one, keep your distance and call 1-800-9OUTAGE (1-800-968-8243).
- Stay safe and away from downed power lines and equipment, and flooded areas. Do not walk in standing water and do not venture into areas of debris, since energized and dangerous power lines or equipment may not be visible.
Restoration Process
Following a storm, we deploy scouts to assess damage. As safety is always top of mind, and as we assess the damage, we’ll begin restoring service where it is deemed safe to do so.
- Essential services such as hospitals, nursing homes, fire and police departments, and water systems are at the head of the restoration list, along with our equipment that supplies electricity to large numbers of customers.
- Then we will concentrate our resources on getting the greatest number of customers back the fastest.
- We can’t use our bucket trucks until sustained winds are less than 30 mph, but we can still begin restoring service to customers by closing circuit breakers, rerouting power and other actions. You may see trucks, other vehicles and workers lined up while we process them into our system, taking inventory of equipment and personnel and giving a complete safety orientation.
- Repairs begin with major lines to the substations, then to the lines and equipment serving neighborhoods, businesses and homes.
- Service lines to individual homes and businesses will be restored last because fewer customers are involved, and in the case of fewer outages spread over larger areas, it often takes more time to get power back on for them.
- Significant flooding and other accessibility challenges due to the storm will affect our ability to reach some areas of our territory and could delay restoration in those communities.
- When restoration starts, keep in mind that if you don’t see us working near you, we may be working on another part of the electrical system that you can’t see but must be repaired to get power to you.
Our employees are our greatest assets; we will keep our workers safe during a storm response.
- Keeping our workers safe from worsening weather conditions may limit our ability to restore service as quickly as we’d all like.
- We are committed to keeping our employees safe and sheltered during dangerous periods caused by high winds, flooding and other severe storm conditions.
- For strong hurricanes, we evacuate from the predicted landfall area, but quickly return as soon as conditions are safe to begin restoration.
Along with standard storm preparations, Entergy employees are navigating the COVID-19 pandemic by taking additional steps. These may include traveling separately, adjusting crew staging locations and increasing the use of drones.
Additionally, crews will continue to practice social distancing and we ask that customers do the same. For their safety and yours, please stay away from work zones.
Facing severe weather can be extremely challenging; we’re committed to minimizing the effects of a bad storm.
- Weather forecasts and computer models based on knowledge from past storms are used to predict the estimated number of customers without power and the number of days needed to restore power.
- Power is restored faster in areas with less damage. Some of the hardest-hit areas may take longer, which should be factored into your personal storm plan. Remember, safety first.
- Once the storm passes, we can fully assess the damage and will have more information to share.
Be safe when using a portable generator.
- Customers must never connect a generator directly to a building’s wiring without a licensed electrician disconnecting the house wiring from Entergy’s service. Otherwise, it can create a safety hazard for the customer or Entergy’s linemen working to restore power. And it may damage the generator or the house wiring.
- If customers choose to use a generator, they should buy one only from a reputable dealer who can service and maintain the unit.
- Customers should always use portable electric generators in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
- A gasoline engine usually powers stand-alone generators. Customers should use them only in well-ventilated areas. Never use a generator indoors as carbon monoxide from the exhaust is deadly.
- If the generator has panel-mounted electrical receptacles as part of the unit, appliances may be plugged directly into the generator.
- The generator should be properly sized for the expected load. For example, a 3-kilowatt generator will produce 3,000 watts. This is enough power for a 1,200-watt hair dryer and a 1,600-watt toaster, with some power left over for a few light bulbs. Customers should plan for additional needs when sizing their generator.
- Customers should consult with suppliers, vendors and local electrical utility companies about required permits before starting any work in a home or business.
