By Amy Moore
The News staff writer
Of the 392,600 Entergy customers who were without power after Hurricane Ike, just over 1,000 customers remain unconnected.
In just short of two weeks, Entergy has reconnected 98 percent of the company’s customers using over 14,000 workers from across the nation.
Other customers — 7,300 to be exact — still have not been reconnected, but won’t be because of the significant damage from Ike.
Debi Derrick, with Entergy, said power cannot be restored to customers whose homes are damaged, flooded or in need of major reconstruction.
“We recognize the particular devastation suffered by those living along the coast,” Joe Domino, president and chief executive officer of Entergy Texas, Inc., said. “Entergy will not abandon those customers. We will deliver the power that will help you rebuild.”
In both the High Island and Bolivar Peninsula areas, the company’s electrical distribution systems will have to be completely rebuilt. Derrick said crews began work Wednesday to reconstruct an 18-mile power line from Winnie to High Island, a project expected to be complete within six weeks. As many as 200 workers will be involved in the project.
Some customers are still living in Port Bolivar, where the Crystal Beach and Gilchrist communities were located. The company is considering different options for those who plan to rebuild, including ways to provide a temporary power source until power lines can be reconstructed. A temporary power source can likely be in place in about four weeks, but a power line may not be in place for several months.
“We are working with our state and local governmental agencies to determine our options and firm up our plans for providing service to these areas,” Domino said.
Of the 14,000 additional workers who were brought into the area to assist in reconnecting the communities, Derrick said many are being released.
Hurricane Ike - News to Know
September 24, 2008
Restoration end is near
- Hurricane Ike - News to Know
-
- Restoration end is near Of the 392,600 Entergy customers who were without power after Hurricane Ike, just over 1,000 customers remain unconnected.
- Beaumont evacuees can get lost and found
- Red Cross feeding locations
- Salvation Army feeding locations
- Distribution sites in Jefferson, Orange counties
- Blue Roof Information
- Hospitals/Health care facilities
- Banks/Financial institutions
- Schools assess Ike damage
- Road status information
- More Hurricane Ike - News to Know Headlines
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
