Storm Center > Entergy Arkansas storm update – 6/18/23, 8:30 p.m.

Entergy Arkansas storm update – 6/18/23, 8:30 p.m.

By: Arkansas Editorial Team

06/18/2023

Hundreds of Entergy employees and contractors have worked throughout the day to restore power to more than 44,000 customers who lost it because of severe thunderstorms throughout the day.

The widespread outages were a result from damaging winds, lightning and hail. As of 6:30 p.m. the most severe damage has been identified in Russellville, Conway, Arkadelphia, Hot Springs, El Dorado, Warren, Searcy, Hamburg, Helena and surrounding areas. Assessment efforts will continue Monday morning with ground resources finishing up local area assessments and helicopter(s) assisting in identifying damages from fallen trees and vegetation that may have damaged equipment on hundreds of miles of distribution lines.

Technical difficulties may result in delayed information on the outage map. We are working to correct this issue. We apologize for the inconvenience.

About 1,850 total restoration workers are assisting with power restoration efforts in impacted areas. Our restoration teams are responding to damages as quickly and safely as possible.

The forecast this evening includes additional strong-to-severe thunderstorms capable of producing large hail and damaging winds up to 60 mph, with the greatest impact expected in the southeast part of the state. This could cause additional outages.

The storms will exit the state tonight, with sunny weather for the next few days and temperature highs in the 90s. See below for important heat safety tips.

The following chart shows estimated restoration times for 90 percent of the customers in the affected areas. If you do not see your town, it is most likely included in the largest, nearest town, as it is part of a bigger network.

Region/Town Area Information

(June 18, 2023, 6:30 p.m.)

Pope County

Russellville

In the Russellville Network we expect to have power fully restored to Millard Henry Clinic by tonight at 7 p.m. Entergy also expects that power will be restored to the Dardanelle downtown area by 8 p.m. tonight with the repair of four broken poles. Entergy also has a backyard machine and track machines for several inaccessible areas. We have approximately 70 additional resources coming to help, including scouts (damage assessors), tree trimmers and linemen.

White County

Searcy

Damage assessment is nearing completion for the system in Searcy. The number of damaged facilities continue to grow upon inspection by our damage assessment teams. Entergy has additional resources in the area to shorten outage duration as much as possible. Entergy expects 90% of customers who can safely receive service to be restored by Monday at 10 p.m. Entergy will update estimated restoration times as damage assessments near completion. Outages for some customers in heavily impacted areas could see restoration times extended.

Bradley County

Warren

Power has been fully restored to the Ashely County Medical Center, Walmart and the City of Crossett water system. Crews are working as quickly and as safely as possible to get power restored to as many customers as possible however this event did cause major damage that will require extensive repair.  We have additional resources in route to assist in the scouting and restoration process and additional information will be given as we access all damages. We estimate that everyone that can receive power to be restored Wednesday by 12 p.m.

Garland County

Hot Springs

The straight-line winds and severe thunderstorm that passed through our service area early Sunday morning has caused extensive damage. We are still working to assess damages in this area and hope to have completed assessment by 8 a.m., Monday, June 19th, 2023. We estimate that all customers who can receive power will be restored by 12 pm Monday, June 19th, 2023.

Clark County

Arkadelphia

There were approximately 4,000 outages at the peak of the storm. Our expectation is to restore half of those customers that can receive power by midnight tonight. The hardest hit areas in the network are in Blevins and areas right outside of Prescott. We expect restoration efforts to last into Tuesday. As of today, 25% of damage assessments have been completed. Currently there are nine broken poles, 75 spans of wire down, 15 damaged transformers, 50 downed trees. We estimate that 100% of damage assessments will be completed tomorrow, and we estimate that restoration will be completed by 12 p.m. Tuesday, June 20th, 2023.

SAFETY FIRST!

To protect yourself and your families, follow these recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Drink fluids, even if you don't feel thirsty.
• Wear loose, lightweight clothing and a hat.
• Replace salt lost from sweating by drinking fruit juice or sports drinks.
• Avoid spending time outdoors during the hottest part of the day, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Wear sunscreen: a sunburn affects the body's ability to cool itself.
• Air conditioning is the best way to cool off; if you are using a generator, do so safely.

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

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.

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 cellphone, text R E G 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 

Arkansas Editorial Team