Energy Louisiana details winter-storm response as Ouachita Parish saw 49,234 outages at peak

Energy Louisiana representative Amanda Edge told the Ouachita Parish School Board on May 19 that the company instituted an extensive preparedness and restoration effort after an unusually heavy January ice storm that left tens of thousands of customers without power.

"Before the storm ever reached our area, Energy Louisiana took several proactive measures to strengthen our system," Edge said, listing inspections, targeted vegetation trimming and patrols "over 800 circuit miles." She said crews removed more than 250 danger trees and performed vegetation trimming at more than 3,500 locations to reduce storm risk.

Edge described the company's largest-ever staging site at the Ike Hamilton facility, where contractors set up resources and temporary lodging; she said Energy Louisiana initially deployed about 3,000 personnel and ultimately had more than 4,300 workers in the field, including over 700 mutual-assistance crews. At peak the company reported about 91,500 Energy Louisiana customers out locally and more than 150,000 statewide; Ouachita Parish reached 49,234 outages at peak on Jan. 25, "which was about 60% of the parish that was without power," Edge said.

The company also tracked restoration and resource metrics, saying it restored power to roughly 130,000 customers between Jan. 23 and Feb. 4, staged 2,500 beds at the Ike Hamilton site and provided more than 3,000 meals three times a day. Edge said crews replaced transformers and crossarms, repaired substations (two lost transmission sources were not restored until Jan. 27) and removed about 500 miles of downed wire.

Energy Louisiana outlined its customer communications and community support: the company sent 435,827 outbound calls, 2.7 million texts and more than 100 social-media updates during the event, and donated $250,000 to the Red Cross, $50,000 to United Way's family relief fund and $20,000 to the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana.

Board members thanked Edge for the presentation and for frequent communications during the event. Board president Mr. Ko said the district kept close contact with Energy staff during restorations and noted that school reopenings were coordinated with district administrators; Dr. G, who the district had asked to coordinate school reopening dates, helped set target dates for bringing schools back online.

The presentation highlighted operational constraints that complicated restoration work, including icy conditions, impassable roads, suspended tree limbs that posed safety hazards for crews, and the need for specialized off-road equipment to reach remote areas. Edge said the company is using lessons from the storm to improve pole and equipment standards and ongoing vegetation maintenance.

The board did not take any formal action on the report. Mr. Ko encouraged continued coordination between Energy Louisiana and district staff ahead of storm season.