On Aug. 29, 2021, 16 years to the day Hurricane Katrina forever changed the landscape of Greater New Orleans, Hurricane Ida followed in its devastating footsteps and, once again, challenged the resolve of the communities that call this area home. As part of the destruction wrought by the Category 4 storm that was Ida, Entergy Corp.’s Avondale-to-Harahan 230-kV river-crossing circuit was irreparably damaged. After the storm passed and damages were assessed, the utility discovered one of the existing river-crossing towers on the ground and the conductor in the Mississippi River, attached to the other still-standing tower.

To support a local roadway project and add resilience to the electric system, crews installed eight concrete poles in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Workers dug holes, used a crane to set poles and installed new wire. The project took place near Entergy’s facility along Pecue Lane that serves as the company’s state command center during times of major events such as power restoration following a hurricane.

This week, Deanna Rodriguez, President & CEO of Entergy New Orleans and Phillip May, President & CEO of Entergy Louisiana, joined the Edison Electric Institute on The Current Podcast to talk about resilience investments, economic development and partnering with our customers. Clickhereto listen.

Using several tactics to build resilience into the electric system near the coast, Entergy Louisiana recently hardened overhead equipment and undergrounded a portion of the distribution system.

The company is building an approximately 71,000 square foot facility that will improve storm response and resiliency.