09/11/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/11/2024 17:51
Insights > Entergy Hurricane Francine update - 9/11/24, 5:30 p.m.
09/11/2024
Hurricane Francine has made landfall in Terrebonne Parish as a Category 2 hurricane this evening. Outages are expected to continue increasing today as the storm moves through Entergy's service territory. After landfall, the center is expected to move northward into Mississippi Wednesday night and early Thursday morning.
Francine made landfall with maximum sustained winds near 100 mph. At 5:30 p.m., approximately 50,310 customers were without power, including 49,960 in Louisiana, 180 in New Orleans and 170 in Mississippi.
Most important is the safety of those living and working in communities hit by big storms or severe weather. 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 all customers.
Based on historical restoration times, customers in the direct path of a Category 2 hurricane can experience outages for up to 10 days.
Entergy's utility nuclear plants continue to function normally with no threats to operations. Although the storm is not anticipated to impact our nuclear stations, we've entered severe weather procedures that ensure our readiness at Waterford 3 and River Bend Station in Louisiana, and Grand Gulf Nuclear Station in Mississippi. Those procedures include walk-downs, securing of equipment and contingency staffing plans.
When severe weather strikes, utility imposter scammers who pretend to be Entergy representatives may attempt to steal your money or identity. Protect yourself by knowing the risks and staying alert for warning signs at entergy.com/scams/.
Our crews are ready to respond.
In addition to our normal workforce, we have acquired approximately 6,000 restoration workers ready to restore service for customers whose power may be affected by Francine. As resources continue to be requested, we expect to acquire up to approximately 6,400 additional resources based on Francine's current forecast. Total restoration field workforce includes company employees, contractors and mutual aid resources numbering approximately 1,900 in Mississippi, 6,600 in Louisiana and 865 in New Orleans.
Every storm is unique, but our history with storm restoration is a guide to predicting the amount of damage and restoration time following a hurricane. Before a hurricane makes landfall, we make estimates on restoration timelines based on the category, intensity, size and track of the storm. As we know, major hurricanes can cause extended outage restoration times. While the majority of customers may be restored quicker, some of the hardest hit areas could take longer dependent on the extent of damage to Entergy's electrical facilities.
We strive to give an estimate of how long it will take to restore most of our customers 48-72 hours after landfall.
We begin restoring power to customers as safely and quickly as possible after the storm passes, and the restoration process is done in an orderly, deliberate manner. This starts with assessing the damage and then repairing power plants, transmission lines, substations and then the poles and wires in your neighborhood.
In harder to reach areas, we use advanced technology, such as infrared cameras, drones and satellite imagery to assess damage by foot, vehicles, airboats, high-water vehicles and helicopters. Where possible, we will begin restoration of damaged infrastructure while simultaneously bringing customers online where there is minimal to no damage by rerouting power flows.
We start at the source with our power plants, as they are the primary sources of power production for all customers. Large transmission lines are then repaired and restored. These high-voltage lines, which are often strung on high steel towers, deliver power to cities, towns and major industrial facilities and serve large numbers of customers. Next, substations are brought online. Local substations must be functioning for energy to reach the power lines on your street.
Finally, we move on to the poles and wires you see in your neighborhood. For the safety of our crews, we can't use our bucket trucks until sustained winds are less than 30 mph. Line and vegetation crews may be the most visible part of the restoration, but many other employees behind the scenes provide the support needed to keep the restoration moving - from the start until the last light is on.
The order in which we restore customers is also deliberate. We start with essential services, move on to large neighborhoods and then to individual homes. Power is first restored to critical community infrastructure and essential services such as hospitals, water treatment plants, police and fire stations, and communication systems.
Next, lines serving large areas of customers, then neighborhoods are restored. This returns power to the largest number of customers in the shortest amount of time. Some homes and businesses take longer, as individual customer homes or businesses with damage are often the most time-consuming repairs.
Note: While our resilience efforts are already underway in some parts of our service area, construction began in Louisiana this July on Phase I of the approved resilience plan and will last approximately five years.
We restore power as quickly as it is safe to do so.
Safety is our core value and always comes first.
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. We pre-position crews as close as possible to where restoration activities will occur in order to begin restoring power to customers as quickly as possible after the storm passes, and it is safe to commence work.
Hurricanes cause extensive damage, leading to extended outages for some customers.
Estimates before landfall:
Customers should stay connected with us throughout a storm.
As you make your own plans, we will keep you informed throughout about our response. We send storm and restoration updates by text or phone call to customers who are signed up to receive notifications from us.
Download our free app for your smartphone at entergy.com/app. Sign up today: myEntergy.com or by texting REG to 36778.
Visit our Storm Center, a one-stop website for information on storm safety, preparation, restoration and regular updates specific to the storm. You can also access the View Outages map at entergy.com/viewoutages.
Customers should stay aware and stay safe.
The most dangerous part of a storm is often just after it has passed. Hazards are all around us following severe weather - from downed electric lines and equipment, vegetation and other debris, personal generator risks or flooding dangers.
Customers can learn more about storm safety on the company's Storm Center, for example:
We have additional information for customers regarding:
Customers should report their outages.
As you make your plans, we will keep you informed throughout about our response. It is very important for customers to update their contact information with us to receive urgent messages. We send storm and restoration updates by text or phone call to customers who are signed up to receive our notifications. We encourage all customers to check their Entergy mobile app before landfall to ensure you have the latest version or download our free app for your smartphone at entergy.com/app.
Our View Outages map provides outage status and estimated restoration information to customers across the company's service area.
Customers may experience delays when calling our telephone centers when severe weather strikes. We encourage them to use the other quick and easy options available to report an outage, but they may call us at 1-800-9OUTAGE (800-968-8243).
Be on alert: Stormy weather also increases scam attempts.
We are an industry leader.
We are a recognized leader in storm response. It takes an army to restore a village. That is why Entergy partners with other utilities in mutual assistance agreements, in preparation of restoring widespread outages that occur after severe weather. We rely on our continuous cycle of planning, preparation, training and evaluation. Annual readiness drills and training, such as computer-based and event tabletops are conducted to promote and test awareness.