Entergy Louisiana crews continue to harden electric system following Hurricane Ida

Entergy Louisiana crews are continuing to rebuild and strengthen the electric system in coastal communities like Port Fourchon and Grand Isle following Hurricane Ida last month.

While most power has been restored. some 2,500 customers still remain without electric service in these hardest hit areas. Line workers are on the ground setting new poles, hanging new wire and installing new hardware to reconnect those still out of power.

“I want to assure our customers in these communities that we’ll continue giving it our all, to not only restore power, but also strengthen the electric system ahead of future storms,” Phillip May, Entergy Louisiana president and CEO, said. “The storm may have knocked us down, but together, we’ll continue to pick up the pieces and stand again, stronger than before.”

To make the electric system in the area more resilient, crews are installing class-one utility poles with extra hardened footings for critical powerlines in the area. These structures are designed to withstand 150-mph winds. The distribution poles Entergy installs today are generally 60 to 140 percent stronger than the ones they would have used 5 to 10 years ago.

On Grand Isle, temporary generators capable of powering social and critical facilities like grocery stores, lodging and emergency and government operations are being used. Entergy Louisiana plans to deploy additional generators throughout the island as crews continue to work on the main power source. Residents who are still without power in areas where power has been restored should check for damage to the electrical equipment attached to their home or business.

Entergy Louisiana provides electric service to more than 1 million customers and natural gas service to more than 93,000 customers in the greater Baton Rouge area.