OG&E Linemen Restore Power For 15,000 Customers After Hurricane Francine Hit Louisiana

OG&E crews have safely returned home after a five-day deployment to help with power restoration efforts in Louisiana.

The team, comprising 150 linemen and support staff, played a crucial role in restoring electricity to over 15,000 Entergy Louisiana customers in areas severely impacted by Hurricane Francine, including Ascension, Iberville, St. James, and Livingston.

Image Provided By: OG&E

The crews deployed on Sept. 11 and worked around the clock, with 16-hour shifts focused on repairing damaged infrastructure.

Their tasks included fixing broken poles, cross arms, downed power lines, and replacing shattered transformers. Their efforts resulted in thousands of homes and businesses regaining power each day.

Image Provided By: OG&E

“When a state is heavily impacted by a hurricane, it’s an enormous undertaking to get everything up and running. We are proud of our line workers for rising to the occasion and helping our neighbors,” said Chris Bristol, OG&E Distribution Construction Manager. “We are also humbled by members of our communities consistently encouraging and praising our teams for their hard work. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to help in a meaningful way.”

The deployment was in response to a request from Entergy Louisiana for mutual aid, and OG&E mobilized personnel from Oklahoma City, Enid, Ardmore, Muskogee, Kellyville, and Fort Smith, Arkansas. Despite the deployment, OG&E maintained service for its customers across Oklahoma and Western Oklahoma.

Image Provided By: OG&E

“Electric companies band together to help customers in need after extreme weather hits, even if those customers aren’t in our state,” said Andrea Dennis, OG&E Vice President of Transmission & Distribution Operations. “Last week, we assisted our neighbors in Louisiana, and in the future, they could be helping us. Mutual assistance provides security and community that prepares us all for any weather event when the unthinkable happens.”