Hurricane Francine is expected to make landfall later today near Vermilion Bay as a Category 2 hurricane, bringing maximum winds of up to 100 mph. Following its landfall, the storm’s center is forecasted to move northward into Mississippi by Wednesday night and early Thursday.
As the storm approaches, residents are urged to finalize their safety preparations. Entergy, the utility company, emphasizes that the primary goal is the safety of the communities impacted by the storm, followed by a swift restoration of power. Entergy has mobilized a workforce that includes approximately 5,300 restoration workers to aid in service restoration efforts, with plans to increase this number to around 6,400 based on current projections for Francine.
Restoration timelines vary based on the hurricane’s category, with outages lasting an estimated seven days for a Category 1, up to ten days for a Category 2, and potentially two weeks for a Category 3 hurricane. Entergy will assess damage after the storm passes, but service restoration for areas severely affected may take longer due to accessibility issues.
To prepare, customers are advised to create emergency plans, gather necessary supplies, and ensure their property is secured. Entergy stresses the importance of staying safe during and after the storm, particularly regarding downed power lines and hazardous conditions. They have also initiated severe weather procedures at their nuclear plants to ensure operations continue safely.
As restoration efforts commence, customers are encouraged to report outages via the Entergy mobile app or their website. Regular updates will be provided as the situation evolves, and safety remains a top priority throughout the process.