Winter storm could cut power 3-5 days for some, Entergy says

Published: Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at 7:37 a.m. Last Modified: Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at 7:37 a.m.

Local utilities are preparing for power outages across south Louisiana that could result from an icy storm expected to hit today through Thursday morning.

The impact of ice storms is very difficult to predict, but forecasts indicate the approaching weather system could be one of the most challenging the region has seen in years," said Dennis Dawsey, vice president of customer service for Entergy's Louisiana utilities, which serve much of Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes.

"Power outage restoration may extend into 3 to 5 days for some customers, depending on the severity of the damage," he said. "Ice storms can pose a significant threat to an electric system, and extreme cold weather can present additional challenges and require a different and often slower restoration process."

The utility company is assembling more than 2,100 restoration workers in anticipation of ice-related outages, Dawsey said.

SLECA, a utility that serves about 16,000 in Terrebone, Lafourche and surrounding parishes, has all of its crews on standby, General Manager Joe Ticheli said this morning.

"When you have an ice storm like this, obviously some things you prepare for in advance, you fuel up all of your trucks and make sure your chainsaws are operable," he said. "Well be here all day and night answering telephones in case there are outages."

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for southeastern Louisiana through Wednesday morning. Forecasters said the winter storm could bring up to 3-5 inches of snow accumulation and 1/8 to 3/8 inches of ice or more to areas where a mix of precipitation persists.

"As with any storm, safety is always our first priority, and we want it to be yours too," Dawes said. "We urge customers to monitor the weather and prepare to implement their own winter storm plans.

Customers are encouraged to download Entergy's mobile app to access outage maps and information.

See the rest here:
Winter storm could cut power 3-5 days for some, Entergy says