Greenwell Springs, Louisiana – DEMCO reports 71 percent of meters back in service with remaining outages totaling 32,262. Crews have restored 68 percent of distribution line miles, and thirty-nine of forty-three substations are receiving transmission.
“The damage to our system is the worst we’ve ever seen,” says Randy Pierce CEO and general manager. In Livingston, St. Helena, and Tangipahoa parishes, the transmission and distribution infrastructure was severely damaged or obliterated.
“Restoration estimates are based on knowledge we have at this time,” says Pierce. “Unforeseen challenges are always possible and may alter these predictions, but we want our members to have information to help them make informed decisions for the health and safety of their families.”
Outages by Parish:
Ascension parish - 15086 meters, 4772 out (68% energized); East Baton Rouge –35552 meters, 956 out (97% energized); East Feliciana – 6062 meters, 946 out (84% energized); Livingston parish - 45355 meters, 20958 out (54% energized); St. Helena - 5251 meters, 3176 out (39% energized); Tangipahoa – 626 meters, 626 out (0% energized); West Feliciana – 4527 meters, 8 out (99.8% energized).
Updates by Parish:
Ascension: The Walls Crossing substation was restored last night and crews are working to repair distribution lines that serve members in St. Amant, Prairieville, Gonzales, Galvez.
East Baton Rouge: Crews are working in neighborhoods in the Central/Greenwell Springs area. Zachary repairs are nearing completion after replacement of sixty poles and twenty transformers. All critical facilities are restored.
East Feliciana: Damage is primarily in hard to access areas that often require off-road equipment.
Livingston: The Frost and LIGO substations are now receiving transmission. Crews are working on distribution repairs to restore power to members served by these substations in the town of Livingston, Killian and part of Satsuma; the vast majority of members will be restored on or before 9/9; and in Frost, Colyell and surrounding areas; estimated time of restoration is 9/11. Crews continue to work in the Walker area; the vast majority of members will be restored on or before 9/9. In lower Livingston, in the areas of Killian and Springfield, crews are working on main infrastructure to bring up police department, businesses and stores. The Holden substation is still not able to receive transmission. Damage is extensive and devastating, with hundreds of poles and lines down; the vast majority of members will be restored on or before 9/11. Crews are working today to get main infrastructure to power up stores and the police department. After transmission is on, distribution repairs are estimated at four to five additional days; the vast majority of members will be restored on or before 9/15. For members in Albany, Springfield and Pumpkin Center – one of the hardest hit areas – local restoration is projected four to six days following transmission restoration; the vast majority of members will be restored on or before 9/17. Media Contact Anne Hawes, 225-954-1112 AnneH@DEMCO.org Media Availability David Latona, 225-226-8149 DavidL@DEMCO.org
St. Helena: The Pine Grove residential substation and two industrial-load substations are out. The substation and entire east side of St. Helena is devastated and repairs to restore transmission is estimated at one to two weeks. Damage reported in this area include 168 broken 3-phase poles; 151 stripped 3-phase poles; 18 broken transmission poles; and 47 stripped transmission poles. Crews have completed right-of-way clearing from Greensburg to Easleyville, and are working their way north on Hwy 43. Several spans of line between Hwy 43 to Hwy 1045 that crosses the Tickfaw River must be rebuilt, a project estimated to take at least three to four weeks.
Tangipahoa: Transmission infrastructure is ravaged and the rebuild is estimated at three to four weeks. After transmission is restored, distribution repairs are estimated at an additional one to two weeks.
“All DEMCO employees, outside contractors and mutual-aid lineworkers continue to work to restore power to all members and we will not rest until the job is complete,” says Pierce.
Streets restored more than 60% in the last hour, and daily updates on restoration progress are posted at www.DEMCO.org.
