Pineville, La., April 23, 2020 (8 a.m.) – Strong storms and tornadoes moved across central Louisiana overnight causing power outages for nearly 7,000 customers.     

“So far, Cleco crews have restored power to over 2,000 customers,” said James Lass, director of distribution operations and emergency management.  “Cleco crews, along with contractor crews, have been mobilized to respond to these weather-related power outages.”

The hardest hit areas were Avoyelles, Grant and Rapides parishes.

As of 8 a.m., Cleco had approximately 4,760 customers without power due to the storms.

“Crews are assessing damage, clearing debris, repairing damaged equipment and restoring power,” said Lass. 

Cleco warns that downed power lines can be energized and dangerous. Stay away from all power lines and do not attempt to move an object that is touching a downed line. Call 911 and Cleco at 1-800-622-6537 to report a dangerous situation with electricity.

Follow Cleco on Facebook at @ClecoPower for the latest updates.

Cleco Corporate Holdings LLC is a regional energy holding company that conducts its business operations through its subsidiaries, Cleco Power LLC and Cleco Cajun LLC. Cleco Power is a regulated electric public utility company that owns 10 generating assets with a total nameplate capacity of 3,360 MWs and serves approximately 288,000 customers in Louisiana through its retail business and supplies wholesale power in Louisiana and Mississippi.  Cleco Cajun is an unregulated utility company that owns eight generating assets with a total nameplate capacity of 3,555 MWs, with contracts serving nine Louisiana cooperatives, three wholesale municipal customers and one electric utility.  For more information about Cleco, visit us at www.cleco.com