UPDATE: Many Cleco customers still without power due to winter storm

UPDATE - 8 p.m.: Cleco crews have restored power to over 10,000 customers impacted by the second winter storm to hit Cleco’s service territory this week. At peak, the storm left approximately 43,000 Cleco customers without power.

Restoration Assessment

Below are estimated times for restoration (ETR) for parts of Cleco’s service territory. More ETRs will be communicated as they become available. Please note that unexpected damage or inclement weather could impact restoration efforts and timelines.

Rapides Parish

· Power restored to approximately 6,500 customers today in the following areas:

o Holloway, North of Ball/Tioga, Bentley, Colfax and Pollock

· Power will be restored to 50 percent of customers in Deville, Kolin and Ruby by tomorrow evening, Thursday, Feb. 18.

· Crews will continue to put customers’ power back on beginning tomorrow, Thursday, Feb. 18 with full power restoration expected for all by Friday, Feb. 19.

Evangeline Parish

· Power restored to some customers in Pine Prairie, Turkey Creek and parts of Chicot (Hwy. 106 & Hwy. 167). Remaining customers will be without power overnight.

Avoyelles Parish

· Crews are still working in this area to restore power. ETR is expected tomorrow, Thursday, Feb. 18.

Acadia Parish

· Crowley – Power restored to all customers who can receive power.

· Basile – Power restored to all customers who can receive power.

Evangeline Parish

· Ville Platte – Power restored to more than half of customers. Approximately 300 will be without power overnight.

· Eunice – Power restored to more than half of customers. Small number of customers will be without power overnight.

· Mamou – Power restored to more than half of customers. Approximately 58 customers will be without power overnight.

St. Landry Parish

· Opelousas – Power restored to all customers who can receive power.

Red River Parish (revised from 4:30 p.m.)

Approximately 1,000 customers are expected to be without power overnight.

Sabine Parish

Approximately 4,000 customers are expected to be without power overnight.

Natchitoches Parish

All customers expected to be without power overnight.

Calcasieu Parish

All customers expected to be without power overnight.

Vernon Parish

Power expected to be restored to majority of customers by tonight; approximately 50 customers will be without power overnight.

Beauregard Parish

Power expected to be restored to majority of customers by tonight; approximately 250 customers will be without power overnight.

Power Outages as of 8 p.m.

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Cleco announced Wednesday that approximately 20,000 of their customers across Louisiana are without power due to freezing rain and ice that began this afternoon.

"Several of the parishes we serve are currently experiencing freezing rain and ice from a second winter storm, and with temperatures expected to remain near or below freezing for most of the day, more power outages are likely," said James Lass, director of distribution operations and emergency management. "As conditions deteriorate, we are asking customers to avoid unnecessary travel, operate generators outside in well-ventilated areas and stay away from downed power lines."

In addition to Cleco personnel, the company says they have secured nearly 400 contractors to assist with power restoration efforts.

"Our crews will work throughout the day to restore as long as it's safe," said Lass. "The safety of our employees, contractors and customers is priority in everything we do."

Reasons for power outages during ice and snow:

• Trees can become heavy and brittle due to the accumulation of ice and snow, breaking and falling onto our system.

• Power lines and other equipment can become damaged due to the weight of ice and snow on the system.

Safety tips:

• Operate portable generators outdoors in well-ventilated areas and plug appliances directly into generators with grounded extension cords. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet.

• Assume all downed power lines are live and stay away. Report downed power lines immediately by calling 1-800-622-6537 and 911.

3,470 customers in Acadiana are without power.

See the breakdown of outages by parish below:

Power Outages as of 1:30 p.m.

• Allen Parish: 2,201

• Avoyelles Parish: 2,187

• Beauregard Parish: 2,962

• Calcasieu Parish: 39

• Catahoula Parish: 8

• DeSoto Parish: 140

• Evangeline Parish: 3,410

• Grant Parish: 236

• Iberia Parish: 5

• Natchitoches Parish: 77

• Rapides Parish: 4,995

• Sabine Parish: 3,765

• St. Mary Parish: 16

• Vernon Parish: 114

For the latest information on Cleco preparations, outage updates and restoration efforts, visit Cleco's Storm Center page at www.cleco.com or follow the company on Facebook

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