Insights > Entergy Arkansas is prepared for the second round of severe weather

Entergy Arkansas is prepared for the second round of severe weather

By: Arkansas Editorial Team

01/14/2024

Snow work near mountain view. January 2023

Entergy Arkansas is prepared for the second round of severe weather, and your safety and comfort remain our top priority. We have successfully restored power to approximately 42,000 customers impacted by the first weather event last week. With low temperatures in the single digits and estimates of 4-6 inches of snow expected across parts of the state this week, Entergy Arkansas is working hard to help customers stay warm.

We are mindful of those who may be facing challenges, and we are here to help you keep the power on. All customer disconnections have been suspended through Monday, Jan. 22.  

It's important to be ready for freezing and inclement weather, which can move in quickly. Entergy Arkansas is prepared for winter temperatures and wants our customers to be ready as well. In the event of power outages, restoring your power safely and quickly is our top priority.

Power restoration during extreme cold can take longer due to increased demands of heating units. We have crews available and equipped to respond to outages as quickly and safely as possible across our service territory. (As seen in the photo above, we work in all weather conditions and locations to restore power to our customers.)

Entergy Arkansas strives to provide the most up-to-date information about outages. The best way to get information is via Entergy’s View Outage page on our website. Customers with special needs or other circumstances are encouraged to plan for other accommodations, in the event of an outage.

Thank you for being a valued Entergy Arkansas customer. Stay warm and connected, as we navigate this season together.

Warming Centers Opened for Customers
(information provided to Entergy Arkansas and subject to change)

For preparation tips and cold weather updates, visit entergy.com/cold.

For additional inclement weather tips and storm updates, visit entergy.com/stormcenter.

Winter weather restoration process

As the winter storm impacts Arkansas, we will deploy scouts to assess damage in all affected areas. It is on these assessments that we base our estimated restoration times. We will communicate these estimates with you, updating as new information becomes available. Our crews will simultaneously be restoring service where it is deemed safe to do so. We ask for your patience, and please know restoring your power safely and quickly is our top priority.

Extra weight on power lines caused by snow or ice can cause them to fall or stretch, possibly causing power interruptions. While Entergy Arkansas manages growth of trees and bushes near electrical equipment, one half-inch of ice can increase the weight of a tree limb as much as 30 times, causing even smaller limbs to bend or snap, falling onto power lines and causing an outage.

Please be aware the restoration process can be hampered by the surge of instantaneous electrical demand from appliances (heating units, water heaters, etc.) when service is restored to your location, potentially overloading protective devices on Entergy’s electrical system. To help mitigate this problem, Entergy encourages you to turn off any electrical heaters or electrical appliances that can easily be turned off until power is restored.

As with any weather event, please be mindful of the following safety tips:

• Live wires can be deadly. Stay away from downed power lines. Call 1-800-9OUTAGE or 1-800-968-8243 to report downed or dangling power lines, damaged or downed poles or other damaged equipment.
• 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. Again, stay away from downed power lines.
• Keep away from the immediate areas where crews are working. There is always the danger of moving equipment and the possibility of construction materials, limbs or overhead wires falling to the ground.
• If you plan on using a generator for temporary power, get a licensed electrician and disconnect from the utility electric system before hooking up to your main electric panel. 
• Do not run a generator in a confined space without adequate ventilation. Use them only outdoors, following all manufacturers’ safety guidelines.
• Turn off any electrical appliances that can easily be turned to the off position until power is restored.
• Check on seniors, who can be particularly susceptible to extreme temperatures.
• Try to stay off the roads in affected areas. More traffic in bad weather leads to more accidents, including more injuries and fatalities as well as accidents that can damage electrical poles and other equipment, creating outages and impeding the ability of crews to access and repair damage and slowing restoration.

We want to keep you informed and in control. The best way to get information about outages is via Entergy’s View Outage page on our website. Additional resources for your convenience:

• Download our app for your smartphone at entergy.com/app or visit Entergy Storm Center to stay informed on our restoration progress.
• Sign up for text alerts. From your cell phone, text REG to 368374, or visit entergytext.com.
• Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter @EntergyARK.
• Follow updates in your local news media, like radio, television, and newspapers. 

Tags

Arkansas  Storm Center  Winter Weather 

Arkansas Editorial Team