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August 29, 2008

Entities taking a wait and see approach for Gustav

By David Ball

PORT ARTHUR — For some South and Mid-County businesses and agencies, it’s wait and see in regard to Hurricane Gustav.

Don Pumphrey, a customer service manager with Entergy Texas, said crews are standing by and waiting to see if an evacuation is called. Entergy Texas also has mutual aid agreements with other utility companies and contractors who would assist if the storm hit Southeast Texas. Likewise, Entergy Texas would assist if the storm hit other service areas on the Gulf Coast.

“We would service the territory and assist in Louisiana if it hits there. We could face a doubleheader situation with a storm behind it (Tropical Storm Hanna),” Pumphrey said. “All of our crews are scheduled or on stand-by. It all depends on where the storm will make landfall and where the high pressure system will act as a steering mechanism.”

Pumphrey said Entergy learned lessons from Hurricane Rita three years ago and each storm encountered since then. He said Tropical Storm Edouard, that recently made landfall in Southeast Texas, was good practice for their crews.

In the event Gustav does head toward the area, repair crews will be stationed in the Beaumont area in a safe place so their equipment will still be useable.

Pumphrey recommends customers go to www.entergytexas.com and click storm center for more information.

“For emergency generators, please make sure they’re properly installed so there will be no back feed to our crews,” he said.

Pumphrey also recommends keeping refrigerators doors shut as much as possible in the case of a power outage. Food inside may last an additional 24 to 36 hours inside if left undisturbed.

“Please recognize we’re working as quickly and as safely as possible. We have a vested interest in restoring everyone’s electricity,” Pumphrey said.

Barbara Phillips, Valero Port Arthur refinery public affairs manager, said they have initiated their hurricane protection plan, but they have not reached a decision yet whether to shut down or not. They will reach that decision by late Saturday or early Sunday.

Denise Castille, marketing director for the Medical Center of Southeast Texas, said the hospital has been in close contact with local and state agencies and awaiting further instructions.

“We’re on stand-by,” Castille said. “We have contingency plans in place.”

She added if landfall is projected for Southeast Texas, EMS and other modes of transportation will disburse patients to different facilities throughout Texas as they did with Hurricane Rita.

Floyd Gaspard, director of the Port of Port Arthur, said Monday that port personnel began picking up loose articles and debris and fastening down doors and other structures.

“By 5 p.m. today, we are hurricane secured. Our employees have been released, and we forwarded key personnel to our command center. If a Category 3 or greater force is imminent to landfall, then those Port Arthur personnel will be released,” Gaspard said.

The last ship left port Friday and no others will be allowed in without permission from the Coast Guard.

Chief Mark Underhill of the U.S. Coast Guard said their routine plans are in place.

“We’ve been preparing waterways and notifying mariners and getting Coast Guard personnel out of harm’s way and back as soon as possible to take care of the community,” he said.

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