Insights > Entergy Texas Winter Storm Update – 2/18/21 @ 9 p.m.

Entergy Texas Winter Storm Update – 2/18/21 @ 9 p.m.

By: Texas Editorial Team

02/18/2021

As of 8 pm, there are approximately 6,522 customers without power, down from 7,937 at 3 pm Thursday afternoon. Additional resources have been shifted to the hardest hit areas.  Updated estimated restoration times are below.

Cold weather continues to affect restoration times in the Conroe, Cleveland, Winnie, and Huntsville areas due to heavy demand. Additionally, accumulated ice on trees and power lines from the most recent storm resulted in damage to equipment near Madisonville and near Calvert.

If you lose power after being restored for a short time period, please report the outage to Entergy again.  This will help us determine if there is a different issue closer to your home.

Entergy Texas, working with MISO, will continue to monitor the situation. Cold temperatures are expected tonight and tomorrow. Conservation efforts are still requested as extreme cold temperatures continue through Saturday morning.

Key Messages:

• Updated estimated restoration times are below.
• Restoration work continues, but there are challenges due to the extreme cold. Learn more here.
• Energy conservation is key. We are asking that all customers practice conservation of energy usage, which will help us in the restoration effort of our remaining customers.

Current Outage Numbers and Estimated Restoration Times (Subject to change):

As of 8 pm, the following outages have been reported.

Safety is our number one priority.  If you lose power:

• Stay away from downed power lines and assume they are energized. Report them to 1-800-9OUTAGE.
• Report your power outage on the MyEntergy site or call 1-800-9OUTAGE. There is no need to speak with a customer service representative to report an outage if completed online.
• If you have a portable generator, use it safely. DO NOT run it in an enclosed space. If connecting to the whole house, do so only if the connection has been installed by a licensed electrician to prevent back feed on to the distribution system.
• Do not open your refrigerator or freezer door. Food will stay cold much longer this way. If outside temperature is below freezing, consider placing food in an ice chest outside.
• Please stay clear of linemen as they work to safely restore power
• Entergy employees are navigating the COVID-19 pandemic by taking additional steps. Crews will continue to practice social distancing, and we ask that customers do the same. For our safety and yours, please stay away from work zones.
• Customers without power can help in the restoration process by turning off major appliances but leaving on a lamp or other light to indicate when power is restored. Then, gradually turn other appliances to spread out the increase in power usage over a longer time. Visit entergy.com/cold to learn more.

 Tips to Conserve Electricity:

 Remember that extreme cold can drive increased electricity consumption.  Follow these easy steps to reduce consumption and lower your usage: 

• Heating can account for as much as 55% of your monthly electric bill. Setting the thermostat to 68 degrees in the winter is an easy way to reduce how much energy you use. Every degree above 68 on the thermostat can increase your bill by about 3%.
• Conserve hot water. Wrap your electric water heater with a water heater blanket that can be found at local home improvement stores and set the thermostat to 120 degrees or medium.
• Keep all doors and windows closed. Constant traffic will let out the warm air, forcing your heater to work harder to keep the room at the set temperature.
• Ensure fans are turning the right way. Fans should be run at a low speed clockwise during the winter. This helps keep the cold air from blowing down on you.
• Keep the air circulating. Don’t block heat registers or air returns with curtains or furniture.
• Leverage the sun. During the day, open your curtains and blinds to let in the warm sunlight. Close them at night to reduce heat loss.

 Stay Informed:

 We continuously keep our communities informed throughout a storm using the following channels: 

• Download our free app for your smartphone at entergy.com/app.
• Sign up for text alerts. From your cellphone text REG to 36778.
• Visit the Entergy Storm Center website and our View Outages
• Follow us on Twitter.com/entergytx or Facebook.com/entergytx.
• Call us at 800-9OUTAGE (800-968-8243).
• Follow updates in your local news media like radio television and newspapers.

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Texas Editorial Team