State Watch

Southeastern parts of Louisiana could have power restored as late as Sept. 29

Southeastern portions of Louisiana could have their power restored as late as Sept. 29, according to utility company Entergy. 

The news comes in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, which made landfall in the southern state this week and left millions without power. The storm also caused deaths in the South and Northeast. 

According to a list of restoration times posted by the utility company Saturday afternoon, Lafourche Parish, lower Jefferson Parish, parts of Plaquemines Parish, St. Charles Parish and Terrebonne Parish are slated to have their power restored no later than Sept. 29. 

Entergy, which also services New Orleans, said earlier this week that the city is expected to have its power back by next Wednesday.

Over ten thousand people in New Orleans reported that they had their power back three days after Ida hit the state. 

Entergy noted that for the parishes in southeastern Louisiana, the “company will explore every option to expedite restoration.”

The company also noted that the timelines on their website applied to the majority of customers in each parish, but that some people could still be without power past their deadline. 

Earlier this week, Ida made landfall in Louisiana as a powerful Category 4 hurricane, leaving a million people in the state without power.

At least a dozen in the state died due to Ida. Over 40 people in the Northeast died as the storm barreled through states like New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

As of 7 a.m. on Saturday, Entergy reported that 35 percent of its customers had had their power restored — almost 327,700 customers out of 948,000. The utility company noted that around 470,000 customers still had their power out, including 150,000 in New Orleans alone.

The Hill has reached out to Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards’ (D) office for comment.

President Biden toured through the state on Friday where he was briefed by officials  and surveyed some of the damage. Biden pledged that the government was going to help the state recover from the disastrous hurricane.

“Folks, I know you’re hurting. I know you’re hurting. Folks in Lake Charles who I visited earlier this year are still hurting from Hurricane Laura. I want you to know, we’re going to be here for you,” Biden said.