BEAUMONT, Texas — A rodent at a substation was to blame for a Tuesday morning power outage in Beaumont that frustrated many, including parents dropping their kids off at several BISD schools.
At 9:15 a.m. there were nearly 2,900 still without power after a squirrel caused an outage at an Entergy substation Tuesday morning according to the company's outage map and a spokesperson.
Remaining customers should be restored within about 30 minutes the spokesperson said.
Earlier in the first week of September another squirrel knocked out power to about 5,000 Entergy customers in Orange for several hours.
More than 5,000 were without power at about 7:40 a.m. and by just after 8 a.m. 3,376 Entergy customers were without power, according to the company's outage map.
Power was out at Marshall Middle School, Sallie Curtis Elementary School and Regina Howell Elementary School. but students were able to be dropped off and breakfast was still served.
Restoration times are estimates only according to the Entergy website.
MORE | Entergy Outage Map
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
Here’s some tips from the Entergy website on how to stay safe during an outage…
- Create an emergency preparedness kit, including a flashlight, batteries, and first aid supplies.
- Maintain supplies of healthy and filling snacks that don't require refrigeration, such as dried fruits, nuts and protein bars.
- Make sure you have alternative charging methods for your phone or any device that requires power.
- Purchase ice or freeze water-filled plastic containers to help keep food cold during a temporary power outage.
- Learn about the emergency plans established in your area by contacting your state or local emergency management agency.
- If you rely on anything that's battery-operated or power dependent, such as a medical device, have a backup plan.
- Maintain backup generators according to manufacturers' recommendations and store an adequate supply of fuel in a safe place.
During an outage, disconnect or switch off appliances and electronic equipment that were running when the power went out. Avoid opening refrigerators and freezers to save cold air and preserve food longer.
Generators | Operate backup generators safely by following manufacturer's instructions. Don't attempt to connect your generator to the electrical system; it can backfeed to outdoor utility lines and injure or kill utility service personnel. An automatic transfer switch — installed by a qualified electrician — will help to ensure safe operation. Learn more here.
Refrigerated foods | Discard any perishable items in your refrigerator or freezer that may not be safe to consume. A refrigerator keeps food at a safe temperature for up to four hours during a power outage if it remains closed. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends discarding foods such as meat, poultry and eggs if they've been above 40°F for more than two hours. Learn more here.
