Power restored to over 8,500 customers

Tropical Storm Arthur continues to move across Cleco’s service territory, bringing significant rainfall that has caused severe flooding in multiple parishes.

In total, 12,647 customers lost power due to the storm, and Cleco has restored power to 8,546 of the impacted customers.

“The hardest hit parishes are Avoyelles and St. Tammany,” said Clint Robichaux, director of distribution operations and reliability. “Cleco crews are assessing damage and restoring power where conditions allow. Some of the towns we serve in Avoyelles are experiencing significant flooding. In some areas, restoration efforts cannot begin until the floodwaters recede.”   

Cleco crews have reported damaged poles, crossarms and downed power lines due to high winds, lightning and flooding.

“Crews in areas that were not impacted by the storm have been deployed to assist with restoration in the hardest-hit areas,” said Robichaux. “It will be all-hands-on-deck until power is restored to all our customers.”

Power outages as of 3 p.m.

For the latest outage numbers, go to www.cleco.com and click “Outages.”

Generator safety tips:

Never run a generator indoors. Operate the generator in a well-ventilated area.

Plug appliances directly into portable generators with grounded extension cords that can handle the load. Don’t plug a generator cord directly into a wall outlet. A generator can back feed electricity through a home’s electric wiring to the entire Cleco circuit.  This can damage a generator and, in some instances, cause injury or even death to a worker attempting to repair that circuit.

Don’t exceed the rated capacity of a generator.

Only refuel a generator when the engine is off and cool.