Entergy says it has restored more than a third of its customers to full power. Today, company leaders said Hurricane Ida caused the worst damage they have ever seen.
Entergy's damage assessment found more than 30,000 utility poles damaged or destroyed by this storm.
"That far exceeds the number of poles in Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita, Hurricane Ike," said Entergy Louisiana President and CEO Phillip May. "In fact, that number is higher than all the poles damaged or destroyed in Katrina, Zeta, and Delta combined."
But, May says they believe they have done a lot in the last week.
"We've brought on more critical customers," said May, including all hospitals in the greater New Orleans area.
Entergy New Orleans President and CEO Deanna Rodriguez says they are making good progress in the city.
"We're making progress in Algiers and lights have been coming back on. We're so pleased by this," Rodriguez said. "Also, (the) Central BUsiness District has been restored."
Rodriguez says that has allowed a lot of downtown hotels to get back into business, which are housing about 5,000 of the restoration work force.
Entergy has projected Sept. 8 as the latest date to restore most of its customers in New Orleans, as well as Jefferson and St. Bernard parishes, and Plaquemines parish around Belle Chasse. Restoration in coastal areas and area close to the center of Hurricane Ida's path, however, may be without power until near the end of September.
As of Sunday afternoon, Cleco estimated more than 80 percent of its St. Tammany Parish customers have had their service restored. Washington-St. Tammany Electric says they are near 75 percent restoration.
