Full Notification

  Entergy

Subject:    Flooding                                      

Date:         August 15, 2016

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Background:

Heavy rains have caused historic flooding to communities we serve in several parishes in southeastern Louisiana.

AT&T cell service currently is not working for the 225 area code, making communications more difficult. However, land lines and internet seem to be unaffected.
 

Key Messages:

The safety of employees and customers is our top priority.

·         Service must be disconnected any time water levels approach a home’s electrical system.

·         Our intent is to take every reasonable step to avoid interrupting service to areas not affected by flooding. However, there will be scenarios where service may be interrupted, such as:

o   As work is undertaken to reconfigure our facilities to isolate flooded areas so that we can safely return unaffected areas to service.

o   If flood waters threaten or damage equipment that serves areas not affected by flooding.
 

We are working closely with local emergency officials and civil defense departments to keep abreast of the latest conditions and expected flood stages and to ensure the safety of employees and the public in the event of flooding.
 

·         At facilities in close proximity to rising water, we have plans in place to address a variety of emergency situations. Entergy employees are monitoring the situation very closely and will proceed with actions designed to ensure safety and mitigate potential operational risk.

We’re monitoring water levels closely and have plans in place to notify our customers if service disconnections are necessary due to rising water levels.

·         Our area customer service representatives will act as the main liaisons with local officials and the media, and the region managers and directors of customer service will lead disconnection and restoration activities.

·         We’ll make every attempt to notify customers in affected areas when rising water indicates that a hazard may occur; or when city, county or civil defense officials mandate that service disconnections are necessary.

·         We’ll make every attempt to notify customers about disconnections by calling them or contacting them at the premises.

·         Due to gradual changes in water levels, it may be necessary to move quickly to disconnect service to affected areas prior to any individual notification to customers. However, whenever possible, we’ll attempt to notify local media, and/or distribute letters (warning notices) when water levels gradually change.

Customers should act as safely as possible during any emergency.

·         Customers who inhabit or own property in areas threatened by flooding are encouraged to remove food from freezers and refrigerators and to take appropriate measures to protect belongings from potential water damage.

·         We urge customers to prepare for the possibility of extended power outages due to flooding. Customers should prepare emergency preparedness kits, including flashlights, a battery-powered radio with fresh batteries, spare batteries, canned food and a can opener, a supply of fresh water for several days and a first-aid kit.

·         If customers have generators, they should read instructions and operate them according to guidelines for their safety and ours.

·         We remind customers to remain safe and stay away from downed power lines and flooded areas. Do not walk in standing water and do not venture into areas of debris, since energized and dangerous power lines may not be visible.

·         We urge customers to use extreme caution when navigating boats in flooded areas around power lines to ensure the boats and their occupants do not come into contact with energized lines.

Gas service is also affected during flooding.

·         Only turn off your gas service if you feel comfortable doing so and can do it safely.

·         Entergy needs to know:

o   If you have a severed line or blowing gas, we will respond as quickly as possible.

o   If you have lost gas service and your home has not been flooded, call us.

o   If the odor is strong:

·          Do not light matches.

·          Do not turn lights on or off.

·          Do not use the telephone.

·         If possible, notify everyone in the building to leave immediately. Call Entergy 1-800-ENTERGY (800-368-3749) from a nearby building.

·         Do not reenter your home until it’s safe to do so.

·         After the storm:

o   We will be dedicated to restoring the system with safety as our #1 goal.

o   If your gas appliances have been under water, you should call a licensed gas fitter/plumber to inspect and repair them.

o   If high water has extinguished the gas pilot, the gas supply should be cut off as quickly as possible.

o   To re-light, call a licensed plumber

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