Insights > Louisiana Update - Hurricane Laura Restoration - 8/31/20 @ 6 p.m.

Louisiana Update - Hurricane Laura Restoration - 8/31/20 @ 6 p.m.
By: Louisiana Editorial Team

08/31/2020

Monroe, La.
Monroe, La.

Crews continue to make significant restoration progress after Hurricane Laura impacted Entergy’s electrical system across Louisiana. Damage assessments, debris removal, repairs and rebuilding of the electrical system is ongoing.

The damage assessment process is nearly complete, however the remaining assessments will be more difficult due to the extensive damage, particularly in the hardest-hit areas of Lake Charles, Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes where approximately 6,531 poles, 11,680 spans of wire and 2,890 transformers were damaged.

Crews have been successful in completing repairs to our distribution system and services to individual households, however they continue to face significant obstacles to rebuild our transmission system which was heavily impacted by Laura.

For customers to begin receiving power in Calcasieu Parish, the transmission lines must first be rebuilt and energized. Once the transmission lines are flowing electricity into the substations and then through the distribution lines, homes and businesses will be able to receive power. 

The transmission system is the backbone of the electric grid and helps Entergy move power from the power plant to the lines serving customers’ neighborhoods. These large lines are like the interstate system.

For customers in the Lake Charles and Sulphur areas, restoring power may take longer than expected as a result of damage to transmission lines serving the area.  As more generation and transmission services are available in southwest Louisiana, this should help improve our ability to finalize our restoration efforts.

All customers who can safely receive power in the Jennings area should be restored by later today.

Along with standard storm preparations, Entergy employees are navigating the COVID-19 pandemic by taking additional steps. Due to the added measures crews must take, restoration may take longer, especially where there are widespread outages. Also, 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.

Crews are focusing on restoring emergency services first and then will prioritize work to restore the greatest number of customers. 

Arcadia Parish

Number of outages as of 4 p.m.: 67

Percentage of damage assessments complete: 100%

Estimated restoration:  The majority of customers that can receive power will be restored by 10 p.m. tonight.

Areas worked today: Acadia, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, Vermillion, St. Martin

Calcasieu Parish

Number of outages as of 4 p.m.: 88,136

Percentage of damage assessments complete: 85%

Estimated restoration:  To be determined after damage assessments are complete.

Areas worked today: Westlake, Sulphur, Starks

Cameron Parish

Number of outages as of 4 p.m.: 1,966 

Percentage of damage assessments complete: 95%

Estimated restoration:  To be determined after damage assessments are complete.

Areas worked today: Westlake, Sulphur, Starks

Jefferson Davis Parish

Number of outages as of 4 p.m.: 5,868

Percentage of damage assessments complete: 100%

Estimated restoration:  To be determined after damage assessments are complete

*In the Jennings area approximately 2,275 customers who can safely receive power will be restored today.  Those customers being restored today will receive a call/text regarding their time of restoration. We currently have no restoration time for the remaining 3,800 outages.*

Areas worked today: Acadia, Jefferson Davis, Vermillion

Beauregard Parish

Number of outages as of 4 p.m.:  7

Percentage of damage assessments complete: 70%

Estimated restoration:  To be determined after damage assessments are complete.

Avoyelles Parish

Number of outages as of 4 p.m.:  54

Percentage of damage assessments complete:  100%

Estimated restoration:  The majority of customers that can receive power will be restored by 10 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2.

Areas worked today: Columbia, Grayson, Olla, Tullis, Georgetown, Jena, Trout

Bienville Parish

Number of outages as of 4 p.m.:   1,069

Percentage of damage assessments complete:  85%

Estimated restoration:  The majority of customers that can receive power will be restored by 10 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1.

Areas worked today: Arcadia, Gibsland, Ruston, Grambling, Bernice, Haynesville, Homer

Claiborne Parish

Number of outages as of 4 p.m.:  598

Percentage of damage assessments complete:  85%

Estimated restoration:  The majority of customers that can receive power will be restored by 10 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1.

Areas worked today: Arcadia, Gibsland, Ruston, Grambling, Bernice, Haynesville, Homer

Caldwell Parish

Number of outages as of 4 p.m.:  1,667

Percentage of damage assessments complete:  55%

Estimated restoration:  The majority of customers that can receive power will be restored by 10 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2.

Areas worked today: Columbia, Grayson, Olla, Tullis, Georgetown, Jena, Trout

Catahoula Parish

Number of outages as of 4 p.m.:  33

Percentage of damage assessments complete:  100%

Estimated restoration:  The majority of customers that can receive power will be restored by 5 p.m. today.

Areas worked today: Columbia, Grayson, Olla, Tullis, Georgetown, Jena, Trout

Concordia Parish

Number of outages as of 4 p.m.:  87

Percentage of damage assessments complete:  100%

Estimated restoration:  The majority of customers that can receive power will be restored by 5 p.m. today.

Areas worked today: Winnsboro, Rayville, Ferriday, Start, St Joseph, Newellton, Gilbert, Wisner

Grant Parish

Number of outages as of 4 p.m.:  1,070

Percentage of damage assessments complete:  100%

Estimated restoration:  The Montgomery area will be restored by Thursday, September 3rd. The Georgetown area will be restored by Wednesday, September 2nd.

Areas worked today: Winnfield, Montgomery, Jonesboro, Dodson, and Natchitoches

Franklin Parish

Number of outages as of 4 p.m.:  12

Percentage of damage assessments complete:  100%

Estimated restoration:  The majority of customers that can receive power will be restored by 5 p.m. today.

Areas worked today: Winnsboro, Rayville, Ferriday, Start, St Joseph, Newellton, Gilbert, Wisner

Jackson Parish

Number of outages as of 4 p.m.:  3,795

Percentage of damage assessments complete:  100%

Estimated restoration:  The majority of customers that can receive power will be restored by 10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3.

Areas worked today: Winnfield, Montgomery, Jonesboro, Dodson, and Natchitoches

LaSalle Parish

Number of outages as of 4 p.m.:  4,530

Percentage of damage assessments complete:  92%

Estimated restoration:  The majority of customers that can receive power will be restored by 10 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2.

Areas worked today: Columbia, Grayson, Olla, Tullis, Georgetown, Jena, Trout

Lincoln Parish

Number of outages as of 4 p.m.:  2,786

Percentage of damage assessments complete:  87%

Estimated restoration:  The majority of customers that can receive power will be restored by 10 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1.

Areas worked today: Arcadia, Gibsland, Ruston, Grambling, Bernice, Haynesville, Homer

Madison Parish

Number of outages as of 4 p.m.:  1

Percentage of damage assessments complete:  98%

Estimated restoration:  The majority of customers that can receive power will be restored by 10 p.m. tonight.

Morehouse Parish

Number of outages as of 4 p.m.:  2,209

Percentage of damage assessments complete:  96%

Estimated restoration:  The majority of customers that can receive power will be restored by 10 p.m. tonight.

Natchitoches Parish

Number of outages as of 4 p.m.:  475

Percentage of damage assessments complete:  65%

Estimated restoration:  The majority of customers that can receive power will be restored by 10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3.

Areas worked today: Winnfield, Montgomery, Jonesboro, Dodson, and Natchitoches

Ouachita Parish

Number of outages as of 4 p.m.:  22,451 

Percentage of damage assessments complete:  86%

Estimated restoration:  The majority of customers that can receive power will be restored by 10 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2.

Areas worked today: Monroe, West Monroe, Sterlington, Calhoun, Richwood

Richland Parish

Number of outages as of 4 p.m.:  112

Percentage of damage assessments complete:  89%

Estimated restoration:  The majority of customers that can receive power will be restored by 5 p.m. today.

Areas worked today: Winnsboro, Rayville, Ferriday, Start, St Joseph, Newellton, Gilbert, Wisner

Union Parish

Number of outages as of 4 p.m.:  1,861

Percentage of damage assessments complete:  80%

Estimated restoration:  The majority of customers that can receive power will be restored by 10 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1.

Areas worked today: Arcadia, Gibsland, Ruston, Grambling, Bernice, Haynesville, Homer

Tensas Parish

Number of outages as of 4 p.m.:  3

Percentage of damage assessments complete:  100%

Estimated restoration:  The majority of customers that can receive power will be restored by 5 p.m. today.

Areas worked today: Winnsboro, Rayville, Ferriday, Start, St Joseph, Newellton, Gilbert, Wisner

Sabine Parish

Number of outages as of 4 p.m.:  94

Percentage of damage assessments complete:  90%

Estimated restoration:  The majority of customers that can receive power will be restored by 10 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1.

Areas worked today: Winnfield, Montgomery, Jonesboro, Dodson, and Natchitoches

Webster Parish

Number of outages as of 4 p.m.:  17

Percentage of damage assessments complete:  80% 

Estimated restoration:  The majority of customers that can receive power will be restored 10 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1.

Areas worked today: Minden, Springhill, Sarepta, Ringgold, Jamestown, Hall Summit, Castor

Winn Parish

Number of outages as of 4 p.m.:  4,181

Percentage of damage assessments complete:  87% 

Estimated restoration:  The majority of customers that can receive power will be restored 10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3.

Areas worked today: Winnfield, Montgomery, Jonesboro, Dodson, and Natchitoches

Vernon Parish

Number of outages as of 4 p.m.:  1,568

Percentage of damage assessments complete:  90% 

Estimated restoration:  To be determined after damage assessments are complete.

Areas worked today: Winnfield, Montgomery, Jonesboro, Dodson, and Natchitoches

KEEP SAFETY TOP PRIORTY

There is no way to know if a downed line is energized or not, so if you see one, keep your distance and call 1-800-9OUTAGE (800-968-8243).

Stay safe and away from downed power lines and flooded areas. Do not walk in standing water and do not venture into areas of debris, since energized and dangerous power lines may not be visible.

Customers choosing to use portable electric generators should do so in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. 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 our linemen working to restore power. And it may damage the generator or the house wiring.

STORM RESTORATION PROCESS

Following a storm, we deploy scouts to assess damage.  Our scouts work as quickly and safely as possible in sometimes very dangerous conditions.  As damages are assessed, we will communicate with you the conditions found along with an estimated restoration time and our progress toward restoring your power.  We can begin restoring service to customers by closing circuit breakers, rerouting power and other means, but we must wait until sustained winds are less than 30 mph to use our bucket trucks.  We ask for your patience, and please know restoring your power safely and quickly is our top priority.

As we assess the damage, we will begin restoring service where it is deemed safe to do so.

Your preparation is essential too:

    • Above all stay safe.  A personal plan for you and your family is the best way to stay safe and be storm ready.
    • Visit the Entergy Storm Center website for planning tools that can help guide you through the decisions you need to make.
    • Whether you shelter in place or evacuate, you should prepare to 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.
      • Visit the Entergy Storm Center website in advance for details on how to prepare for hurricanes and other types of storms.

We continuously keep our communities informed throughout a storm using the following channels:

Tags
Louisiana  Storm Center  Hurricane Laura 
Louisiana Editorial Team
Related articles
Entergy’s Scholars Program empowers students for future workplace success
Last month, Entergy leaders and mentors gathered at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to engage with students of the Entergy Scholars Program. This event was part of Entergy’s longstanding partnership with the university, which began in 2018 with our $2 million contribution to help foster student success.
Read more
Entergy Mississippi storm update – 4/14/24, 9 a.m.
In all, Entergy Mississippi restored service to over 89,606 customers following the severe weather event.
Read more
Entergy Mississippi storm update – 4/13/24, 10 a.m.
Damage assessment is complete and we have  identified damages to 216 poles, 55 transformers, 91 cross arms, and 812 spans (223,000 feet) of downed wire.
Read more