Utility crews are working to restore power to areas of Arkansas affected by yesterday’s winter storms. Heavy wet snow, ice accumulations, and sleet combined with strong wind gusts produced widespread damage and caused traffic headaches on roads and highways. (Click here for more on Tuesday’s weather.)
According to Entergy Arkansas, as of 9 a.m. on Wednesday, more than 34,000 customer outages have been reported (scroll below for a list of affected counties in the area).
“Crews began working earlier this week to prepare for the winter storm,” an Entergy Arkansas representative said. “We assembled our restoration workers in the areas expected to be the most heavily impacted to ensure we have people and resources ready to respond to outages. Now that the worst of the storm has passed through the state, crews are working to restore outages as quickly and safely as possible.”
The utility said restoration could be potentially slowed because snow and ice accumulations on roadways have made travel and access to the impacted areas difficult.
Area Entergy Arkansas outage numbers (as of 9 a.m.):
Baxter County 1,508
Cleburne 27
Fulton 808
Independence 2,808
Izard 3,022
Sharp 2,196
Stone 7,357
ENTERGY STORM RESTORATION PROCESS
After the winter storm impact, we will deploy scouts to assess damage. Our scouts will work as quickly and safely as possible, in sometimes very dangerous conditions, as the storm moves across our service area. As damages are being assessed, we will communicate the conditions found, an estimated restoration time when available, and our progress toward restoring your power. While our scouts gather more information on damages, our crews will simultaneously be restoring service where it is deemed safe to do so. Some customers may experience intermittent power disruptions during the restoration process. We ask for your patience, and please know restoring your power safely and quickly is our top priority.
Please be aware the restoration process can be hampered by the surge of instantaneous electrical demand from appliances (heating units, water heaters, etc.) when service is restored to your location, potentially overloading protective devices on Entergy’s electrical system. To help mitigate this problem, Entergy encourages you to turn off any electrical heaters or electrical appliances that can easily be turned off until power is restored.
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.
- Check on seniors, who can be particularly susceptible to extreme temperatures.
- Try to stay off the roads in affected areas. More traffic in bad weather leads to more accidents, including more injuries and fatalities as well as accidents that can damage electrical poles and other equipment, creating outages and impeding the ability of crews to access and repair damage and slowing restoration.
The best way to get information about outages is via Entergy’s View Outage page. Additional resources for Entergy Arkansas customers:
- Download the 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.
For additional inclement weather tips and storm updates, visit entergy.com/stormcenter.
To keep up with driving conditions in the state during this winter weather, visit iDriveArkansas.com.
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Get up-to-date local and regional news/weather every weekday morning and afternoon from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ. White River Now updates are also aired weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and Your FM 99.5.
