THE WOODLANDS March 26, 2018 ⎯ The bluebonnets and dogwoods are blooming, which means spring is finally here! While spring can be warm and wonderful, it can also be wild and wooly. Tornadoes, lightning, high winds, flash flooding, severe thunderstorms and even hail can accompany the change in seasons.

Extreme weather can also cause power outages and downed power lines. Entergy Texas prepares year-round for these disruptive events and encourages you to prepare, too.

“We monitor the weather 24/7, and when severe weather threatens, we mobilize our crews for outage restoration,” said Stuart Barrett, interim vice president of customer service for Entergy Texas, Inc. “Everyone should also have their own plan in place before severe weather threatens. This includes individuals, families, businesses and communities.”

Make a Plan, Assemble a Kit

First, ensure that you have multiple ways of getting severe weather warnings:

· Install a smart phone app that will alert you to severe weather in the area or sign up for emergency alerts on your smart phone.
· Have a weather radio with a loud alarm that will wake you when severe weather threatens at night.
· Download the free Operation: Storm Ready guide from Entergy’s website. This booklet has a checklist of what a kit should include so you do not overlook anything important.

Know How to Communicate with Entergy

There are several ways to report outages or downed power lines:

· Call 1-800-9OUTAGE (1-800-968-8243)
· Check the View Outages map on Entergy’s website or app for outage info and, if available, cause and estimated restoration time
· Download the free Entergy app for Apple or Android to check power at your home or business and to report outages
· Visit the Entergy Storm Center for updates and information
· Register for MyAccountAnywhere to get outage info on your mobile phone and to send and receive texts.

Despite our best efforts to reduce the likelihood of outages during bad weather, storms can be powerful and unpredictable,” Barrett said. “It is a good plan to be prepared and have everything you need in one central location if you lose power, including a way to notify us of the outage. This will help you be more comfortable and will also instill order and safety while our crews restore service.”