JACKSON, Miss– Crews from Entergy Mississippi are en route to Louisiana to help clean up and restore power after yesterday’s powerful storms.
A travel team of 180 Entergy linemen, baseload contractors and support personnel left early this morning from areas throughout the state to help with restoration efforts in Louisiana.
176,000 Entergy customers in Louisiana lost power in Monday’s storm. The storm lost strength as it entered the state, largely sparing Entergy Mississippi customers.
“Once we realized our customers were going to be okay, we were able to release our crews to help our sister utility in Louisiana,” said Robbin Jeter, Entergy Mississippi vice president of customer service. “They left around 6 o’clock this morning from all parts of our service area and will stay as long as they are needed, unless we need them back here.”
As of Tuesday morning, over 78,000 Entergy customers in Louisiana were still without power. Baton Rouge and New Orleans metro areas among the hardest hit regions, with downed trees and powerlines. More than 300 utility poles will have to be replaced and 19 substations and 82 transmission line segments will have to be repaired. The storm brought about tornadoes, large hail, frequent lightning strikes and wind gusts reported to be over 100 miles per hour.