Hurricane Francine is set to make landfall today near Vermilion Bay as a Category 2 hurricane, with maximum winds reaching 100 mph. Following landfall, the hurricane is projected to move north into Mississippi by Wednesday night and early Thursday morning.
Entergy is urging residents to finalize their safety preparations as the storm approaches. The safety of communities impacted by severe weather is the top priority, followed closely by the restoration of power following the storm’s passage.
Based on historical data, power outages can last up to seven days for those directly affected by a Category 1 hurricane, ten days for a Category 2, and up to two weeks for a Category 3. Restoration efforts can only begin when sustained winds drop below 30 mph to safely utilize bucket trucks, and flooding or other obstacles may further complicate access.
Entergy will deploy scouts to assess damage immediately after the storm. Restoration timelines will be estimated based on the extent of the damages assessed, but it may take up to three days to provide accurate restoration forecasts. Customers are reminded that visible work may not occur immediately as teams could be addressing other areas of the power grid.
Entergy has mobilized a robust workforce of approximately 5,300 personnel to facilitate restoration, with plans to increase this number to around 6,400 depending on the storm’s impact. The field workforce includes company employees, contractors, and mutual aid resources distributed across Mississippi, Louisiana, and New Orleans.
While Entergy’s ongoing reliability work, including tree trimming and vegetation management, enhances system resilience, concerns over the impact of last year’s drought remain. Preparations are in place, including a five-year resilience plan that began construction in Louisiana in July.
Customers are advised to avoid downed power lines and floodwaters, as hazards may linger after the storm. Entergy emphasizes the importance of using generators safely and remaining vigilant for gas leaks during and after severe weather.
All nuclear plants operated by Entergy are functioning normally, and specific severe weather protocols have been initiated at the Waterford 3 and River Bend Station in Louisiana and the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station in Mississippi.
As the storm nears, it’s essential for customers to prepare by developing emergency plans and assembling kits with supplies. Residents should take steps to protect their homes and stay informed through emergency management directives.
Post-storm, the most significant dangers often arise from hazards such as downed power lines and personal generator risks. It is crucial to stay clear of these dangers and report any downed lines immediately.
In the wake of the storm, Entergy will keep customers updated on their restoration efforts and remind them to ensure their contact information is up to date for receiving urgent messages. The company encourages using their mobile app for real-time outage reporting and status updates.
As the storm approaches, Entergy remains committed to restoring power as safely and swiftly as conditions allow, with the expectation of providing more precise restoration estimates within 48-72 hours following the storm’s impact.