Storm Center > Entergy Texas crews near the end of Hurricane Beryl restoration

For Immediate Release

Entergy Texas crews near the end of Hurricane Beryl restoration

07/16/2024

Contact
Entergy Texas Media|281-297-2353|entergytexasmedia@entergy.com
Cleveland, Texas
Cleveland, Texas

All impacted customers who can safely take power are expected to be restored tonight

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Entergy Texas has safely restored power to nearly all customers affected by Hurricane Beryl. Hundreds of crews remain in the field to make repairs and turn the lights back on for communities hit hardest by the storm. All customers who can safely take power are expected to be restored by tonight. 

“Our customers and communities have been patient with us, and we thank them for their immense support as we worked around the clock to restore their power,” Eliecer Viamontes, president and CEO of Entergy Texas. “Texans are tough, and we will continue to make the necessary investments to ensure our grid is as strong as the people in our communities.”

Beryl, which barreled into the Gulf Coast area as a Category 1 hurricane, knocked out power to approximately 252,460 Entergy Texas customers on July 8. The storm brought heavy rain, max winds of up to 97 mph, and a tornado to the Entergy Texas service area. Due to high winds and ground saturation during the tropical event, downed trees and other vegetation caused significant damage to 806 poles, 400 transformers, 979 crossarms and left behind approximately 150 miles of downed wire. Whether in the field or behind the scenes, a workforce of more than 2,400 helped safely turn the lights back on for Southeast Texas communities. 

Outside of restoration efforts, Entergy Texas also supported communities by donating $125,000 to the American Red Cross for Beryl relief. Red Cross volunteers have been working very closely with the entire response community – government agencies, other non-profit groups, faith-based organizations, area businesses and others – to coordinate emergency relief efforts and get help to people as quickly as possible.

With storms events impacting the Gulf Coast region more often and with stronger intensity, Entergy Texas is making strategic investments to improve service reliability and make the Southeast Texas power grid more resilient against extreme weather events like hurricanes. In June of this year, the company filed an application with the Public Utility Commission of Texas for approval of Phase I of its comprehensive Texas Future Ready Resiliency Plan. Once approved, the plan will benefit customers by decreasing future storm restoration costs by approximately $129 million and reducing the duration of power outages following significant weather events by 4.5 billion minutes over the next fifty years.

To learn more about the company’s strategic plan to keep Southeast Texas a STEP Ahead of growing energy needs, visit here.

About Entergy Texas

Entergy Texas, Inc. provides electricity to approximately 512,000 customers in 27 counties. Entergy Texas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, a Fortune 500 electric company. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through its operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. For the latest news from Entergy Texas, visit the Newsroom and connect with @EntergyTX on social media.