Thousands of people have no power this morning after the storms that passed through on May 16.
We're posting updates here from Acadiana's utility companies as we receive them.
May 17 at 9:30 am:
CLECO
As of 9:30 a.m. today, Cleco has restored power to approximately 20,000 of the 35,000 customers who lost electricity overnight due to severe weather. In addition to Cleco’s regular statewide resources, the company has brought in 280 additional personnel, including line mechanics and vegetation workers.
“With the extra crews we brought in to assist, we’ve been able to bring down our outage numbers substantially early in the restoration process,” said Clint Robichaux, Cleco’s Director of Distribution Operations & Reliability.
Crews continue to assess damage, clear debris and repair damaged equipment to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.
“The damage is consistent with past powerful storms,” said Robichaux. “We are seeing lots of downed wire, broken poles and cross-arms as well as flooded areas which can be challenging when working to restore power because we often have to wait for water to recede or bring in special equipment.”
How to stay safe after a storm:
· Operate portable generators outdoors only and in well-ventilated areas, away from combustible material and keep free of oil, mud and other foreign matter. Plug appliances directly into portable generators with grounded extension cords that can handle the load. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet. It could back feed electricity through your home's wiring to the entire Cleco circuit and cause injury or death to a worker attempting to repair that circuit.
· Assume all downed power lines are live and stay away. Report downed power lines immediately by calling 1-800-622-6537 and 911. Don't step in nearby puddles or attempt to move any object that comes in contact with a downed power line.
· If water is rising, turn off electricity at the main breaker, evacuate and stay away until waters have completely receded. Have an electrician check the building's wiring before using electricity.
For the latest updates, please visit cleco.com/stormcenter.
May 17 at 8:10 a.m.:
LAFAYETTE UTILITIES SYSTEM STORM RESTORATION UPDATE
LAFAYETTE, LA– LUS crews worked throughout the night and were able to reduce the number of storm-related outages from 4,500 to 1,500.
LUS is urging the public remain at a safe distance from any LUS personnel working on the restoration to ensure a safe working environment. Additionally, while traveling, stay aware of potential road hazards such as downed power lines or fallen trees.
Please be advised that LUS is closely monitoring weather updates as additional severe weather is predicted for today.
If you experience a power outage, please call (337) 291-9200, and for downed power lines or other electrical/water issues, please call (337) 291-5700. To access updates using the LUS outage map, please visit https://www.lus.org/map/ [lus.org].
May 17
11:30 a.m. update
SLEMCO
5/17/24 11:30 am Update - We just restored power to additional main lines. Current outage number is 4,700.
5/17/24 11:15 am Update - We currently have roughly 6,200 customers without power. The information below is for larger outages that we are working on and is not an exhaustive list of every outage. Once these larger outages are cleared, it is expected that other customers in those areas will have power restored as a result. We are already working on smaller outage groupings and even individual outages in some areas. As we all learned earlier this week, when we get to the smaller outages, restoration slows a bit because we must physically go to eat location, determine what needs to be done and bring in material and equipment to complete the work. As one service center completely restores outages in their area, they will be shifting to other areas to assist in individual recovery.
Acadia Parish - Working on single and small group outages. In the Ridge area, there are a few broken poles and some wire down. Crews are currently working on them. Working on single outages in the Mire and Church Point areas.
Lafayette Parish - In the Vatican area, crews are working to replace 5 double-circuit poles that went down last night. We are hoping to have the main line there back up by mid-afternoon. Then individual outages will be worked. In the Carencro area (Wilderness Trail), power went out this morning. Crews are currently patrolling to determine the issue. In the Carencro area, both East and West of I-49, we are working on widespread single outages.
St. Landry Parish - All main line feeders are on. We are working on smaller and individual outages. There are a few poles that need replacing but most damage is wire down.
St. Martin Parish - We backfed the Parks and Catahoula area from a different substation last night to restore power to most residents. This morning we were able transfer their electric feed back to the Atchafalaya Substation on Section 28 Road. In the Ruth Bridge area, near Goulas', we are hoping to have the main line back up shortly. Then we will begin working individual outages in the area. In the Breaux Bridge, Cecelia and Arnaudville areas, we are working individual outages.
Vermilion Parish - Working single and small group outages.5/17/
6:15 a.m. update
SLEMCO
Update - Approximately 12,000 customers out of power. That’s down from 40,000 right after the storm rolled through. Crews continue to get main line feeders back on. When feeders come back on, the majority of customers along that line will, too. If you don’t come back on as a feeder does, I’m sorry to say, but it will be awhile. That means something happened at your location that we must address in person. That’s the type of work that comes after all the feeders are on. It is house to house work. We will have more detailed updates as the sun comes up, and we can really see where we stand. We are in it til the end. You have our word.
May 17 at 1:15 a.m.
AT&T Wireless
Type of Communications Services Affected: Wireless
Locations Affected: Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Catahoula, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafayette, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, Rapides, St Landry, St Martin, St Tammany, Vermilion, Vernon, West Baton Rouge counties in Louisiana and Escambia county in Alabama and Harrison county in Mississippi
Impact Statement: LTE / 5G Customers Cannot Make or Receive Calls To and From Mobile
ETR: Not known at this time Best Known Cause: Environmental Technicians are working towards resolution as quickly as possible.
City of Kaplan:
