Cleco urges customers to make final storm preparations

Company closing some Customer Service Offices tomorrow

Cleco continues its storm preparation efforts and is encouraging customers to be storm ready.

"Tropical Storm Francine continues to strengthen and is projected to make landfall tomorrow as a hurricane along Louisiana's Gulf Coast," said Clint Robichaux, director of distribution operations and reliability. "And now is the time for our customers to make their final storm preparations and be ready for possible power outages."

Cleco is preparing for Francine.

• Cleco has activated its statewide storm teams and is following the company's Emergency Response Plan.
• In addition to Cleco personnel, the company has secured 1,700 contractors, including line mechanics, vegetation specialists and damage assessors.
• Cleco has set up eight sites across the state to house materials and supplies, secured lodging for contractor crews and has specialized equipment on standby.

"Severe weather can cause power outages," said Robichaux. "We encourage our customers to have essential items on hand in the event of a power outage."

Customers can prepare by having essential items on hand in case of a power outage.

• Water
• Batteries
• Battery-powered radio
• Battery-powered flashlight
• Fully charged electronic devices
• Canned food, manual can opener

A full list of suggested items is available on Cleco's website.

Some Cleco customer service offices will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 11.

• Opelousas
• Crowley
• Eunice
• New Iberia
• Franklin
• Covington
• Mandeville
• Slidell
• Bunkie
• Ville Platte

Visit www.cleco.com/stormsafety for storm safety tips and to download a Severe Weather Guide.