Cleco is prepared for the winter storm that is expected to bring ice, snow and low temperatures across much of Louisiana beginning overnight and continuing through tomorrow.

All of Cleco’s distribution and reliability personnel and an additional 500 line mechanic and vegetation management contractors have been strategically staged across the state to respond to weather-related power outages.

“During winter storms, the accumulation of ice or snow can cause trees to become heavy, break and fall onto power lines causing power outages,” said Clint Robichaux, director of distribution operations and reliability. “Cleco prepares year-round for all types of weather-related events, and our crews are ready to respond to this winter storm which is forecasted to impact much, if not all, of Cleco’s service territory.”

Cleco also reminds customers to prepare.

• Gather supplies you might need during a power outage, including flashlight, batteries, canned food, manual can opener, bottled water, medication and a first aid kit.
• Charge cell phones, tablets and laptops.
• Make sure it’s safe to travel. Elevated freeways and bridges are prone to dangerous ice build-up when they get wet during cold temperatures.
• 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.

• If using a space heater, make sure the plug isn’t frayed or torn, as it could start a fire, and keep heaters away from anything that can burn, including paper, clothing and rugs.
  

“The safety of our customers, employees and communities is our priority,” said Robichaux.

For more information, visit Cleco’s Storm Center page on cleco.com.