ORANGE, Texas — Entergy crews in Orange County are working to restore power to customers Tuesday morning after a rodent caused an outage that affected just over 5,000 customers at one point.
At about 6 a.m. just over 5,000 Entergy customers in Orange were without power, according to the company's online outage map.
An Entergy spokesperson told 12News that a squirrel had gotten into the company's equipment and caused the outage.
By about 7:15 a.m. 3,167 customers were still without power, according to the online outage map.
Power was expected to be restored by 9 a.m. according to information available on the outage map.
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.
