New Orleans could see power back by middle of next week, officials say

The utility company that services New Orleans and southeastern portions of Louisiana predicted the city could see power back by the middle of next week following a battering from Hurricane Ida, The Associated Press reported.

Entergy posted preliminary estimation times for when certain regions in the state would have their power back.

The company estimated that most of New Orleans would have power back by next Wednesday. However the company said that these estimates were subject to change.

“Crews out in the Warehouse District were out today working to restore power in the area. As of this morning, there were 41,000 or 20% of Entergy New Orleans customers restored,” the New Orleans division of the company tweeted on Friday.

Crews out in the Warehouse District were out today working to restore power in the area. As of this morning, there were 41,000 or 20% of Entergy New Orleans customers restored. Stay updated on restoration estimates for your neighborhood on our site: https://t.co/IT9qEErjxw pic.twitter.com/Yj8mu2WevH

— Entergy New Orleans (@EntergyNOLA) September 3, 2021

Thousands of poles, transformers and transmission structures must be fixed as a result of Ida. The operation is conducted by at least 25,000 people, according to AP. 

Ida made landfall earlier this week as a Category 4 hurricane, cutting off power to more than a million people in Louisiana.

President Biden surveyed damage to the state while touring through Louisiana on Friday and met with local officials. 

“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 at a press conference in LaPlace, La.

Officials who met with the president on Friday included Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D), Reps. Troy Carter (D-La.) and Garret Graves (R-La.) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell.

According to reports, at least a dozen people died in the state due to Ida. Prior to the hurricane making landfall, emergency declarations from Mississippi and Louisiana were approved by Biden and critical supplies like generators and water have already been deployed by FEMA.

More than 40 people in the Northeast have died as a result of the hurricane, which flooded subways, streets and basement apartments in New York City, making it impossible for people to travel.

New York City and New Jersey issued states of emergency due to the storm.