Insights > Entergy Arkansas Storm Update – 5/5/21 @ 10 a.m.

Entergy Arkansas Storm Update – 5/5/21 @ 10 a.m.

05/05/2021

A line of severe thunderstorms impacted the state early Tuesday morning producing widespread outages from damaging winds and frequent lightning. The forecast today will be clear as thunderstorms have cleared out of the state. As of 9 a.m., 6,300 customers remain without power and approximately 80% of damages across the state have been assessed. Damages include at least 101 broken poles, 208 spans of wire down, 119 spans of wire damaged by trees and limbs and 65 pieces of equipment to be repaired or replaced. Most of the damage is centered around Hot Springs and areas around Walnut Ridge. Our restoration teams are responding to damages as quickly and safely as possible, and approximately 300 additional resources are in the affected areas to support restoration efforts. Our teams will practice social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and this may slow restoration work. For tips and storm updates, visit entergy.com/stormcenter.

Southwest Arkansas

Garland County  

As of 9 a.m., there are approximately 2,379 customers in the Hot Springs Garland County area without power. This is down from a peak of just over 6,000 customer outages on Tuesday.

Damage assessments are underway and approximately 80% of the area damages have been investigated. There are currently 40 broken poles with multiple spans of wire down, as well as multiple transformers requiring replacement.

Forty additional line crews are engaged and assisting to repair damage and restore power as quickly as is safely possible. The additional resources will allow crews to be assigned to each impacted area. Depending upon the extent of damages by area, most customers are expected have service restored by late evening today with the remainder restored no later than by 10 p.m. Thursday.

Northeast Arkansas

As of 9 a.m., approximately 70% of the damage in Lawrence, Randolph, Clay and Greene Counties has been assessed. So far, we have identified 42 broken poles and 49 spans of wire that will need to be repaired. Our line crews have begun restoration efforts and will continue to work safely until all customers are restored.

Approximately 1,784 customers remain without power throughout these counties. Additional resources including 200 additional line workers, 26 damage assessment scouts and 4 vegetation crews are assisting restoration efforts in the area. The estimated time of restoration could change as all damage assessments are completed or if lingering storm activity results in additional outages.

Lawrence County

Crews will be working in and around Walnut Ridge, north to Portia and towards Ravenden along Hwy 63 throughout the day. We expect all customers who can safely take power to be restored by 10 p.m. on May 6th.

Randolph County

Crews will be working north of Walnut Ridge along Hwy 67 to Manson and Pocahontas throughout the day. We expect all customers who can safely take power to be restored by 10 p.m. on May 6th.

Clay County

Crews will be working in and around Rector today up towards Greenway as damage has been assessed. Crews will also be working in and around the Corning area. We expect all customers who can safely take power to be restored by 10 p.m. on May 6th.

Greene County

Crews will be working in and around the Marmaduke area today. We expect all customers who can safely take power to be restored by 10 p.m. on May 6th. 

As with any weather event, please be mindful of the following safety tips:

  • Live wires can be deadly. Stay away from downed power lines. Call 1-800-9OUTAGE or 1-800-968-8243 to report downed or dangling power lines, poles or other damaged equipment.
  • Do not trim trees or remove debris on or near downed power lines. Only power company crews or their contractors should remove trees or limbs touching power lines.
  • Keep away from the immediate areas where crews are working. There is always the danger of moving equipment and the possibility of construction materials or limbs or overhead wires falling to the ground.
  • If you plan on using a generator for temporary power, get a licensed electrician and disconnect from the utility electric system before hooking up to your main electric panel. 
  • Do not run a generator in a confined space without adequate ventilation.
  • Turn off any electrical appliances that can easily be turned to the off position until power is restored.
  • Check on seniors, who can be particularly susceptible to extreme temperatures.
  • Try to stay off the roads in affected areas. Restoration crews can work safer and faster if they don’t have to work around traffic.

We want to keep you informed and in control. The best way to get information about outages is via Entergy’s View Outage page on our website. Additional resources for your convenience:

  • Download our app for your smartphone at entergy.com/app or visit Entergy Storm Center to stay informed on our restoration progress.
  • Sign up for text alerts. From your cellphone, text R E G to 368374, or visit entergytext.com.
  • Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter @ EntergyARK.
  • Follow updates in your local news media, like radio, television and newspapers. 

Arkansas Editorial Team