Entergy Texas working to restore power

Hurricane Beryl made landfall near Matagorda, around 4 a.m. July 8, and continues to move through Southeast Texas with estimated sustained winds of 65 mph. Lightning, high winds and downed trees and other vegetation are the main causes of widespread power outages. As of 10 a.m., approximately 122,000 customers are without power.

The storm is expected to stay in the Entergy Texas service area until midday. Entergy Texas will continue to monitor weather conditions and begin restoration efforts when it is safe to do so. Additional crew members are resources, including airboats and high-water vehicles, will be deployed to help safely turn the lights back on as quickly as possible.

Entergy restoration process

When crews build their restoration plans, they start at the source. Entergy Texas generation plants are critical to providing power to customers. Next, crews ensure that high voltage transmission lines can safely deliver power to our substations. Power is then fed onto low voltage lines that deliver power to homes and businesses. Once power is flowing back into an area, restorations occur in this order:

• Emergency services, life support facilities and communications networks (police, hospital, fire stations, media, industry) are restored.

• Lines serving large blocks of customers are restored next.

• Lines serving neighborhoods follow because larger numbers of customers are without power.

• Individual services are then restored because fewer customers are without power, and, in the case of scattered outages, it often takes more time and effort to get power back on.

Entergy Texas encourages customers to keep these safety tips in mind

• Stay away from downed power lines and areas of debris. Energized power lines may not be visible among the rubble.

• Report downed lines immediately to Entergy at 1-800-9OUTAGE (1-800968-8243), and call your local police station or fire department.

• Return home only when authorities advise and drive only on roadways and bridges that have been declared passable.

• If a power line falls on your vehicle while driving, continue to drive away from the line.

• Don’t walk in flooded areas or standing water. Remember that wet tree limbs can conduct electricity.

• Keep your distance from working crews. Work sites can have any number of hidden dangers for the public, and distracting crews can cause accidents to happen.

Stay informed

Keeping customers informed before, during and after a storm is important to Entergy Texas. Here are some of the platforms they use to provide updates.

• Download the Entergy App at entergy.com/app. Customers can use the app to report outages or check on the status of power at their home or business.

• Entergy’s View Outages website includes maps that show where outages are located and gives information about restoration progress.

• Register for outage text alerts through myEntergy. Customers should update their notification preferences to participate in text alerts. Customers also can sign up for text messages about storm and restoration efforts by texting REG to 36778.