Power Restored to Approximately 100,000
 
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Power has been restored to approximately 100,000 Entergy Arkansas customers as of 4:30 p.m. Friday, as out-of-state crews have joined the effort to get the lights back on for the remaining 94,000 Arkansas customers still without power since a Christmas Day storm.

Damage assessments are expected to be completed Friday as some 4,000 additional workers are on the job, repairing damage left by the freezing rain, sleet and snow storm that, at its peak, knocked out power to 194,233 Entergy Arkansas customers. Among the crews assisting in restoration work in Arkansas are Entergy personnel from Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Also on the job are contractors from 15 states as far away as Florida and South Carolina.

“All repairs to the transmission system substations affecting customers have been complete. Although we are making good progress in challenging conditions, we still expect getting the lights back on will be a lengthy process in Arkansas. The majority of the remaining power outages will be repaired within the next couple of days, but some of the more difficult cases could take as long as Tuesday to complete,” said Hugh McDonald, president and CEO of Entergy Arkansas, Inc.

The combination of ice, heavy snow and high winds caused extensive power outages in some of the most highly populated areas has made this an especially challenging storm.

Entergy reminds customers to stay safe during this period and remember to stay away from downed power lines. Do not trim trees or remove debris on or near downed power lines. Only power company crews or their contractors should remove trees or limbs touching power lines. Additionally, customers are urged to stay a safe distance away from active work zones and restoration workers on the job.  Customers should call 1-800-9OUTAGE toll-free to report electric outages.

Customer Information Centers will open at 10 a.m. in Little Rock, Hot Springs and Malvern. CICs let customers meet in person with company representatives to discuss their outages. Information available at a CIC is localized and may not be useful for customers who live outside of the immediate area. Detailed CIC location information will be available starting tomorrow to customers who call 1-800-9OUTAGE (1-800-368-3749), press option 6 and enter their ZIP code.

Entergy Arkansas provides electricity to approximately 700,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, which is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy Corporation's utilities own and operate power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, including more than 10,000 megawatts of nuclear power, making it one of the nation's leading nuclear generators. The Entergy utilities deliver electricity to 2.8 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy Corporation has annual revenues of more than $11 billion and approximately 15,000 employees.