PINEVILLE, La. – Sept. 1, 2021 (2 p.m.) – As crews continue to assess damage and restore power in St. Tammany and Washington parishes, Cleco urges customers to be safe.

Customers are urged to:

• Stay away from downed or sagging power lines.  Assume that all fallen wires and anything touching them are energized.
• Avoid standing water, as it may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
• Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded and watch out for debris. Floodwaters often erode roads and walkways.
• Keep roads clear for first responders and restoration workers.  If you have evacuated, return home only when authorities say it is safe.
• Do not approach crews, and please remember the importance of social distancing so our essential workers can continue to work safely.
• Never use a generator inside a home, garage, crawl space, or anywhere deadly exhaust fumes can enter enclosed spaces.  Plug appliances directly into the generator; do not connect them to your home’s circuits.

“We know it’s tempting but please don’t remove a tree from a power line because the line may not be grounded and de-energized,” said Clint Robichaux, manager of distribution operations support. “If the line is not de-energized, this could cause serious injuries or death.  No one should ever assume that a power line is dead.  Never, ever touch downed power lines.”

To help keep employees and customers safe, the Cleco customer service offices in Covington, Mandeville and the Slidell will remain closed.