PINEVILLE, La. – Sept. 2, 2020 – As of 4 p.m. today, Cleco had restored power to roughly 105,451, or 75 percent, of the 140,000 customers affected Hurricane Laura.  At noon, the number was 103,578.
 

Early Damage Assessment

Statewide, Cleco’s system experienced extensive damage, including damage to its transmission and distribution equipment.  With system assessment and restoration efforts ongoing, the company expects these numbers to increase.

Distribution damage to date
Crews have found 1,600 downed or broken poles, 1,000 damaged transformers, 4,600 damaged crossarms, 4,800 trees on power lines and approximately 300 miles of distribution conductor down.

Transmission damage to date
Crews have found 408 trees reported on transmission lines and 163 transmission structures damaged.

“Cleco’s system had extensive damage, and this is only what we’ve found so far.  With system assessment and restoration efforts ongoing, we expect to find more damage,” said James Lass, director of distribution operations and emergency management.  “On the distribution side alone, the 300 miles of downed conductor, to put in perspective, is the distance between Shreveport and New Orleans.”

Restoration Assessment

Below are restoration updates for impacted parishes.  Cleco will report updates on areas as they become available.  For the most up-to-date information, follow the company on Facebook @ClecoPower and visit Cleco’s website at cleco.com.
 

Grant and Rapides parishes

• Chopin, Lena, Sharp and Taylor Hill Communities: Crews expect to restore power to 100 percent of customers by Sept. 11.
• Dry Prong, Williana, Verda, Hwy 123 and Hwy 122: Crews expect to restore power to 100 percent of customers by Sept. 11.
• Bentley: Crews expect to restore power to 75 percent of customers by Sept. 9.                      
• Colfax and Nantachie Lake: Crews expect to restore power to 75 percent of customers by Sept. 4                                                                                              
• Pollock: Crews expect to restore power to 100 percent of customers by Sept 12.
• Alexandria Willow Glen: Power restored to 100 percent of customers.
• Greenway Park Subdivision: Area is heavily damaged.  Crews estimated it will take 10-12 days to restore power.
• Alexandria/Coliseum Blvd, DeSelle Subdivision and Heyman Lane: Power restored to 100 percent of customers.
• Buckeye and Deville: Crews expect to restore power to 100 percent of customers by Sept. 7.
• Hickory Grove and Holloway: Crews expect to restore power to 100 percent of customers by Sept. 10.
• Camp Beauregard/Esler Field: Crews expect to restore power to 100 percent of customers by Sept. 10.
• Kingsville and Paradise: Crews expect to restore power to 100 percent of customers by Sept. 8.
• Pineville: Crews expect to restore power to 100 percent of customers by Sept. 8.
• Smithville: Power restored to 100 percent of customers.
• Wardville: Crews have restored power to 75 percent of customers.  Completion date unavailable at this time.
• Ruby, AB Porter and Willie Clark: Power restored to 100 percent of customers.
• Ball: Crews expect to restore power to 100 percent of customers by Sept. 12.
• Boyce: Crews expect to restore power to 100 percent of customers within the next 10 days.
• Gardner: Crews expect to restore power to 100 percent of customers within the next 10 days.
• Hotwells Raod and Cotile: Crews expect to restore power to 100 percent of customers within the next 10 days.
• Flatwoods and Pine Coupee: Crews expect to restore power to 100 percent of customers by Sept. 12.
• Hineston, Sieper and Otis:  Areas are heavily damaged.  Crews expect to restore power to 100 percent of customers by Sept. 10.
• Forest Hill: Power restored to all customers who can receive it.  Crews are now working in rural areas and expect end of week restoration for remaining customers. 
• Glenmora: Power will be restored to some customers this afternoon and the remaining customers over the next couple of days.

DeSoto, Natchitoches, Red River and Sabine parishes

• Stanley Community on Toledo Bend: Power restored yesterday to all customers who can receive it. 
• Pelican community: Power restored yesterday to all customers who can receive it.
• Natchitoches Parish: Power restored to all customers who can receive it.
• Converse/Lake Area: Power restored to majority of customers who can receive it on Monday and remaining customers yesterday.
• Sabine Parish:  Crews expect to restore power to Toledo Town and Cyprus Bend Resort by this evening.
   

Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu and Vernon parishes

• Leesville: Power to critical infrastructure restored, including hospital and large grocery store and all but one water well.  Crews working to restore power to downtown Leesville area business district.
• Lee Hill Subdivision in Leesville: Subdivision has significant damage.  Crews are clearing and removing debris.  Crews expect to start restoring power on Thursday.  Restoration will be a multiday event.
• Rosepine: Crews are patrolling today and expect to restore power to all customers who can receive it today.
• Vernon Parish: Crews restored power to 1,362 customers yesterday.
• Beauregard Parish: Crews restored power to 546 customers yesterday and expect that number to grow today.
• DeRidder: Power restored to the hospital.  Town is heavily damaged.  Crews are working and additional resources are being allocated to this area.  Restoration will be a multiweek event.
• Merryville: Crews will begin working in this area tomorrow.  Restoration will be a multiweek event.
• Calcasieu Parish: Crews restored power to 150 since yesterday.
• Dequincy: Town is heavily damaged.  Crews will be working from daylight until dark.  This could be a multiweek restoration project.  
• Oakdale: With power to critical infrastructure restored, crews continue to work on restoring power to residential customers.  
• Oberlin: Power restored to all customers inside the city limits who can receive it.  Crews working in rural areas outside the city.
• Town of Elizabeth: Tree trimmers still working to remove debris.  Crews estimate total restoration will take three to four days.
• Kinder: With power restored to the casino and customers inside the city limits.  Crews currently working to restore power to the rural areas outside the city. 

Below are customer outages by parish as of 4 p.m.

Percentages are based on total customers affected by Hurricane Laura; not Cleco’s total customer base.

For additional information on Cleco’s storm restoration efforts, follow the company on Facebook @ClecoPower or visit Cleco’s Storm Center page at cleco.com/storm-center.