Winter weather in our service area has arrived, bringing snow and ice to some of the communities we serve. We are monitoring forecasts predicting extremely cold temperatures and hazardous road conditions in many areas extending for multiple days throughout our territory. Our crews are staying safe and ready to respond as soon as the weather improves.

• Precipitation has begun to fall with below freezing temperatures expected to persist for multiple days into early next week. The forecast calls for more than a 1/2 inch of ice in several areas, plus snow and freezing rain in parts of our service area. Historical storm data suggests this winter weather event could cause widespread and extended power outages across an unusually broad multi-state area.
• When outages occur, as soon as safely possible, we will begin restoring service to customers by closing circuit breakers, rerouting power by other means.
  • Following a storm, we deploy scouts to assess damage. It typically takes up to three days until we know how long power can be restored, but restoration efforts following winter storms are difficult and dangerous for a multitude of reasons. When possible, we restore power in parallel with damage assessment activities.
  • Accessibility challenges such as icy road conditions and freezing temperatures may affect our ability to reach some areas of our territory and could delay damage assessment and restoration in those communities.
  • We urge customers to remain safe and stay away from downed power lines. Do not venture into areas of debris, since energized and dangerous power lines may not be visible.
  • When restoration starts, keep in mind that if you don’t see us working near you, we may be working on another part of the electrical system you can’t see but must be repaired to get power to you.
  • The most dangerous part of a storm is often just after it has passed. We want you and your family to remain safe, especially with ice, snow and freezing temperatures resulting in dangerous conditions.
• As of 7 a.m., we currently have more than 9,400 restoration workers in place or mobilizing to restore service for customers across our service area, including 4,800 mutual assistance and contract resources brought on specifically to assist in restoration. These resources include company employees, contractors and mutual aid resources numbering approximately:
  • 3,700 in Arkansas
  • 2,180 in Mississippi
  • 2,900 in Louisiana (including the New Orleans area)
  • 660 in Texas, which is projected to have lower damages.
• Restoration workers are coming from a dozen states including Maine, Florida, Illinois, Tennessee, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Alabama, Connecticut, West Virginia, and New York in addition to Canada.
• Safety is a core value and always comes first. 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.

Customers should be especially careful when using a generator.

• Personal generators are very useful following a winter storm, but they also can be hazardous. The primary hazards to avoid when using a generator are carbon monoxide poisoning from toxic engine exhaust, electric shock or electrocution and fire.
• If you choose to use a generator, buy one only from a reputable dealer who can service and maintain the unit.
• Always use portable electric generators in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
• A gasoline engine usually powers stand-alone generators. Use them only in well-ventilated areas. Never use a generator indoors as carbon monoxide from the exhaust is deadly.
• If the generator has panel-mounted electrical receptacles as part of the unit, appliances may be plugged directly into the generator.
• 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 crews working to restore power. And it may damage the generator or the house wiring.
• Use a licensed electrician to install the necessary equipment should you decide to wire a generator into your home wiring. The equipment should include a switch to transfer the power source between Entergy and the generator.
• The generator should be properly sized for the expected load. For example, a 3-kilowatt generator will produce 3,000 watts. This is enough power for a 1,200-watt hair dryer and a 1,600-watt toaster, with some power left over for a few light bulbs. Plan for additional needs when sizing their generator.
• Consider a generator’s noise pollution as part of your buying decision. The noise may be obtrusive to neighbors without power.
• Commercial customers should consult with an independent engineer or electrician to size the generator, modify wiring and provide for automatic transfer of power during an outage.
• Consult with suppliers, vendors and local electrical utility companies about required permits before starting any work in a home or business.

Powering your medical needs

• When outages strike, we work hard to restore power as quickly and safely as possible to all customers. But we can’t guarantee continuity of service or priority in restoration, and unplanned outages can’t be completely avoided.
• If you have a medical need that requires electricity, make sure you have a plan in case of a power outage.
• While our crews are dedicated to restoring power, it’s your responsibility to have a backup system and plan in place for power outages or other emergencies.

We’re here to help

• To help customers during the extremely cold temperatures expected into next week, we have paused disconnects for non-payment through Feb. 2. If conditions improve sooner, some areas may resume normal operations earlier.
• We are committed to delivering affordable, safe power to the communities we serve and helping customers manage their electric usage to generate savings on their bill. For customers struggling to pay their bill, we offer payment arrangements and flexible payment options to help them pay their energy bill. Customers are encouraged to visit entergy.com for additional resources. They can also reach out to us to manage their account online at myEntergy or by calling 1-800-ENTERGY (1-800-368-3749) for assistance.
• There are various warming centers open across Arkansas, Mississippi and North Louisiana for those in need of shelter and warmth. Customers are encouraged to tune into their local media stations for more information.