HOUSTON – As Tropical Storm Arthur moved through Southeast Texas, bringing periods of heavy rain and localized flooding, Entergy Texas officials say the company was prepared and is already looking ahead to the rest of hurricane season.
While the storm weakened after making its way through the region, utility crews spent days preparing for the possibility of widespread outages and storm-related damage.
“We felt we were very prepared,” said Kenny Muhammad, Entergy Texas Regional Manager of Customer Service. “Preparation is something we do 365 days a year.”
Muhammad says Entergy activated its storm response plans before the weather arrived. The company brought in additional crews, opened its storm command center and staged resources across the service area.
Those resources included high-water vehicles and equipment designed to help crews reach damaged areas safely if flooding became a problem.
“We had our teams staffed around the clock, including operations and communications personnel,” Muhammad said. “We strategically staged resources so that if outages occurred, we could restore customers as safely and quickly as possible.”
Although the storm did not cause the widespread devastation seen during previous hurricanes, Entergy officials say every weather event provides an opportunity to evaluate response efforts and identify areas for improvement.
The company says preparations don’t stop once a storm passes.
Muhammad said Entergy continues to invest in infrastructure improvements designed to strengthen the power grid and reduce outages during future storms.
Those efforts include upgrading hundreds of utility poles, replacing transmission and distribution lines, and conducting extensive vegetation management across the region.
According to Entergy, crews have completed more than 1,300 miles of vegetation management work and removed more than 3,500 hazardous trees that could potentially damage power lines during severe weather.
“We’re continually investing in our grid to ensure we have reliable power,” Muhammad said.
The company also conducts regular emergency response drills and works to ensure power generation facilities and fuel supplies are ready before major weather events threaten the region.
As hurricane season continues, Entergy officials are encouraging residents to make their own preparations now rather than waiting for a storm to develop.
That includes creating an emergency plan, stocking up on supplies and preparing for the possibility of extended power outages.
“Have a plan,” Muhammad said. “Make sure you have supplies ready and stocked up in the event that there is an outage that occurs that helps you sustain throughout it and recover right after the storm.”
Entergy is also encouraging customers to stay connected through the company’s mobile app, and social media channels to receive outage updates and emergency information during severe weather.
“Know that Entergy Texas is prepared,” Muhammad said. “But customers should be prepared as well.”