Representative Ken Bragg (District 15 – Grant County) has provided an update on the power outages in South Arkansas following storms Sunday evening after speaking to representatives from the Arkansas Electric Cooperative and Entergy Arkansas:
“I have spoken to representatives from the Arkansas Electric Cooperatives and Entergy. The Woodward station on the south side of Pine Bluff is completely out and feeds a large area of south Arkansas,” said Bragg. “There is no power in or out. Entergy is working on it and trying to get it running as soon as possible. A large portion of C&L power comes through this station. Entergy said there is a lot of damage to their transmission system and hope to have restoration estimates tomorrow. Efforts are being made to try to determine an alternate transmission source coming up from the south. It could be a while.“
Entergy Arkansas said Monday that damage caused by the storm is similar to that of the 2000 ice storm.
“This was a significant storm event. Early assessments for some areas reveal damage comparable to the back-to-back ice storms in December of 2000,” said Laura Landreaux, president and CEO of Entergy Arkansas. “We fully understand the hardship that being without electricity will be for our customers who lost power, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have a well-practiced plan for recovering from events like this, and execution of that plan began several days ago as we monitored the threatening weather forecasts and began positioning resources to respond after the storm passed.”
Entergy Arkansas also provided information Monday night in damage assessments they have completed:
Southeast Arkansas
Jefferson County
Pine Bluff Area
As of 6:00 p.m. April 13, there are approximately 24,459 customers without power in the Pine Bluff area. Damage assessment continues and includes 21 broken poles, 31 spans of wire on the ground, 3 damaged transformers, and 27 damaged pieces of equipment so far.
Arkansas County
Stuttgart Area
The storm caused more than 6,500 outages in the Stuttgart area leaving 95% of the customers in the area without power. Damage assessment is underway and dozens of broken poles have been identified. We expect to have damage assessment completed by close of business Tuesday April 14, 2020. Our work plan for Monday evening into Tuesday morning includes restoring power to the hospital, police station, and the city waterworks.
Dewitt Area
The storm caused more than 1,600 outages in the Dewitt area, leaving 100% of the customers in the area without power. As of 6:00 pm on Monday April 13 about 1,575 customers in the area remain without power. Damage assessment is underway and dozens of broken poles have been identified. We expect to have damage assessment completed by close of business Tuesday April 14, 2020. Our work plan for Monday evening into Tuesday morning includes restoring power to the most critical customers. Once they have been restored, we will focus on major power lines and equipment that will restore power to the largest numbers of customers in the shortest time possible.
Ashley County
Hamburg, Crossett, Fountain Hill, Portland, Montrose, Parkdale, and Wilmot
As of 6:00 p.m. on April 13, there are 763 customers without power in the Crossett/Hamburg/Portland service area. Storm damage assessment is underway. Estimated restoration times are not currently available due to the extensive damage. We will update you with estimated restoration times as soon as possible.
Bradley County
Warren and Hermitage
As of 6:00 p.m. on April 13, there are 4,182 customers without power in the Warren and Hermitage service areas. Damage assessment is underway and is expected to be completed by 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15. Estimated restoration times are not currently available due to the extensive damage. We will update you with estimated restoration times as soon as possible.
Cleveland
Rison
As of 6:00 p.m. on April 13, there are 1,342 customers are without power in the Rison service area. Damage assessment is underway and is expected to be completed by 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15. Estimated restoration times are not currently available due to the extensive damage. We will update you with estimated restoration times as soon as possible.
Dallas County
Fordyce and New Edinburg Areas
As of 6:00 p.m. on April 13, there are 3,297 customers are without power in the Fordyce/Kingsland/New Edinburg service areas. Damage assessment is underway and is expected to be completed by 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15. Estimated restoration times are not currently available due to the extensive damage. We will update you with estimated restoration times as soon as possible.
Desha County
Arkansas City Area
As of 6:00 p.m. April 13, 2020, approximately 320 customers are without power in the Arkansas City service area as a result of downed transmission structures. Many areas will require off road equipment to complete repairs. Updated restoration times will be provided once additional damage assessments have been completed.
Dumas Area
As of 6:00 p.m. April 13, 2020, approximately 1754 customers are without power in the Dumas service area as a result of downed transmission structures and 25 broken poles. Many areas will require off road equipment to complete repairs. Updated restoration times will be provided once additional damage assessments have been completed.
McGehee Area
As of 6:00 p.m. April 13, 2020, approximately 1361 customers are without power in the Arkansas City service area as a result of downed transmission structures. Many areas will require off road equipment to complete repairs. Updated restoration times will be provided once additional damage assessments have been completed.
Drew County
Monticello & Wilmar Area
As of 6:00 p.m. on April 13th, there are approximately 6,230 customers without power in the Monticello and Wilmar service areas. Damage assessment is underway and is expected to be completed by 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15. Crews have begun to repair the damage already identified. Your area’s damage includes: 7 broken poles, 21 spans of downed wire and over 30 additional equipment failures. As of Monday April 13, crews have worked to restore heavily damaged facilities in the North Gabbert Street area of Monticello. Estimated restoration times are not currently available due to the extensive damage. We will update you with estimated restoration times as soon as safely possible.
