Hurricane Francine Update: Power Restoration Progress and Ongoing Cleanup Efforts

Current status and impacts

Power restoration progress

• Widespread power restoration: 65% of 315,380 impacted customers in Louisiana, New Orleans, and Mississippi have had power restored as of September 13, 2024, following Hurricane Francine
• Remaining outages: Fewer than 15,000 customers in southeast Louisiana still without power as of September 15, 2024, as Hurricane Francine power outages continue to be addressed
• Hardest hit areas: Coastal parts of Lafourche, Terrebonne, Assumption, and Ascension parishes faced the strongest winds and most significant damage from Hurricane Francine
• Restoration timeline: All customers in St. James and St. John parishes expected to be restored by September 15, with hard-hit Terrebonne Parish by September 16 evening, according to the latest Hurricane Francine update

Energy infrastructure impact

• Initial outages: Over 450,000 power outages occurred, mostly in southwestern Louisiana, due to Hurricane Francine
• Offshore production: 42% of crude oil and 53% of natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico was shut down as Tropical Storm Francine approached
• Refinery operations: Refineries in Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, and New Orleans, with a total capacity of 3 million barrels per day, were operating at reduced rates following Hurricane Francine
• LNG exports: Natural gas deliveries to Cameron LNG declined by 60% (1.3 billion cubic feet per day) due to Hurricane Francine's impact

Cleanup and restoration efforts

Entergy's response

• Workforce deployment: Over 8,000 storm team members are working on power restoration in Louisiana's Bayou Region as part of the Hurricane Francine update
• Specialized equipment: Crews are using backyard track machines, airboats with buckets, and a helicopter with a grapple hook for efficient repairs following Tropical Storm Francine
• Damage assessment: Nearly 815 utility poles, over 190 transformers, 1,300 spans of distribution wire, and more than 650 crossarms need repairs in southeast Louisiana due to Hurricane Francine
• Restoration prioritization: Critical services like hospitals, water treatment plants, police stations, fire stations, and communication systems are prioritized in the latest Hurricane Francine power outages response

Safety measures and advisories

• Generator safety: Customers should use portable generators according to manufacturer guidelines, not indoors or near windows, as part of the Hurricane Francine update
• Electrical safety: Water-damaged areas require inspection by a qualified electrician before power restoration following Tropical Storm Francine
• Hazard awareness: Residents should avoid downed power lines, flooded areas, and potential natural gas leaks in the aftermath of Hurricane Francine
• Scam alert: Entergy warns customers about potential scams and advises to call 1-800-ENTERGY for verification as part of the latest Hurricane Francine news

Government response

Emergency declarations

• State of emergency: Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency due to Tropical Storm Francine, now known as Hurricane Francine
• Parish declarations: Seven parishes issued emergency declarations, with five more in the process, in response to Hurricane Francine
• Federal tax relief: The IRS postponed various federal tax filing and payment deadlines from September 10, 2024, to February 3, 2025, for affected Louisiana residents as part of the Hurricane Francine update

Disaster assistance

• GOHSEP activation: The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is coordinating resource allocation in response to Hurricane Francine
• Procurement suspension: Normal procurement procedures for goods and services necessary for emergency response have been suspended due to Tropical Storm Francine
• Tax deductions: Affected individuals and businesses can claim uninsured or unreimbursed disaster-related losses on their 2023 or 2024 federal income tax returns as part of the latest Hurricane Francine news

FAQ

What is the current status of power restoration after Hurricane Francine?

As of the latest hurricane Francine update, power restoration is 65% complete across affected areas. Fewer than 15,000 customers in southeast Louisiana are still without power. Entergy expects to restore power to all customers in St. James and St. John parishes by September 15, and in hard-hit Terrebonne Parish by September 16 evening.

How many initial power outages did Hurricane Francine cause?

According to the tropical storm Francine latest news, Hurricane Francine caused over 450,000 initial power outages, mostly in southwestern Louisiana. This widespread outage significantly impacted the region's energy infrastructure.

What areas were most affected by Hurricane Francine?

The hardest hit areas by Hurricane Francine were coastal parts of Lafourche, Terrebonne, Assumption, and Ascension parishes. These areas faced the strongest winds and most significant damage from the storm.

How is Entergy addressing Hurricane Francine power outages?

Entergy has deployed over 8,000 storm team members to work on power restoration in Louisiana's Bayou Region. They are using specialized equipment such as backyard track machines, airboats with buckets, and a helicopter with a grapple hook for efficient repairs. Entergy is prioritizing critical services like hospitals and emergency facilities in their restoration efforts.

What safety measures should residents take during the Hurricane Francine recovery?

Residents should use portable generators according to manufacturer guidelines and not indoors or near windows. Water-damaged areas require inspection by a qualified electrician before power restoration. People should avoid downed power lines, flooded areas, and potential natural gas leaks. Entergy also warns customers about potential scams and advises calling 1-800-ENTERGY for verification of any suspicious requests.