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Officials from the power company responsible for powering most of New Orleans announced Thursday (September 2) when the city and surrounding areas could see the lights back on after Hurricane Ida slammed the Gulf Coast.
“The estimated times of complete restoration comes after an extensive damage assessment by thousands of workers, which has thus far revealed more than 14,000 damaged or destroyed poles, 2,223 damaged or destroyed transformers, and 155 destroyed transmission structures,” Entergy said in a statement.
Complete restoration varies by area, but the company estimates that by September 8 most or all customers from West Baton Rouge and Iberville Parishes to Orleans parish will have their power back.
“The assessment continues in the most damaged areas, but in parallel, the restoration process is well underway,” the company said, adding that “the preliminary estimates for restoration reflect completion dates, but service to many customers will be restored before these dates.”
So far the company has restored power back to more than 40,000 customers after over 1 million were left without electricity after Hurricane Ida toppled power lines and major towers in the area.
“Some individual cases may take longer due to unique circumstances,” the company noted. “Customers with damage to their meter, meter pan or weatherhead will need repairs to those items prior to Entergy re-energizing their structure.” The company also noted that the timeline is subject to change as 26,000 utility professionals from 40 states continue to work around the clock to bring power back to the area.
For a list of preliminary estimated restoration times for affected communities, click here.
To donate to Hurricane Ida relief efforts, click here.
If you or someone you know has been directly impacted by Hurricane Ida, check out available resources here.
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