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Entergy Texas Reports 20,000 Brazos Valley Customers Without Power Save Email Print
Posted: 8:27 PM Sep 13, 2008
 Last Updated: 9:47 PM Sep 13, 2008
 Reporter: Meredith Stancik
Email Address: stancik@kbtx.com
61 comments
A | A | A

Entergy Texas is reporting catastrophic damage to its system in Texas. In fact, it is telling Hurricane Ike evacuees not to be in a hurry to return home.

Nearly all of its 395,000 customers are without power and 20,000 of those residents are right here in the Brazos Valley.

Burleson County residents are among those dealing with no electricity. About 4,000 people there are without power. Residents are now preparing to live without one of life's luxuries for the next few days.

It was a race against the clock at Lyons Grocery.

At 7:30 a.m. Saturday Ike blew through and knocked out power in the small community.

"Unfortunately we can't pump water without electricity," Martha West with Lyons Water Supply Corporation said.

Lyons Water Supply Corporation says its water usage is now limited. The board called its 200 members Saturday urging them to conserve.

"We do have water, but we need them to be very judicious in there use of it until power is restored," West said.

Burleson County officials say it could be days before power is restored, but Entergy Texas tells New Three they have yet to assess the damage and at this time don't know when electricity will be back.

However, the gloomy news did not affect the mood of some residents

"Ike is not going to stop us," one resident said.

For those of you who live in Lyons, the Lyons Water Supply Corporation has offered a few tips on how to conserve water. They're asking members not to wash clothes, dishes or do any extensive cleaning.
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Posted by: mid-south customer Location: Bedias on Sep 16, 2008 at 07:30 PM
Earlier this year, tree trimming crews came and trimmed the trees that were close to the power lines. While I don't know if this preventative maintenance made any difference, I do know that we never lost power during the storm, so thanks Mid South.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: robertson county on Sep 16, 2008 at 05:09 PM
i also have heard that local power providers have offered for a quick help hook up to the schools at least in the area and entergy said no... and robertson county issues have been showen on waco stations for the last one asking about robertson county
Posted by: Caldwell Location: Caldwell on Sep 16, 2008 at 04:54 PM
Hopefully everyone in Caldwell has seen the true true colors of the fake Benard Rychlik and the rest of his possie. No where did I see any of the City Council members out helping hand out free water or ice, or trying to do anything for the elderly, but they are the first one to be in the church line. Mr Kolache King himself and Mr. Chamberline did go out a time or two riding around, I am sure that they picking up there generations or letting the workers know what to pick up from the kolache festival that he had them layout.That was so patheticI can honestly say that this time around the only team that showed good organization was the Police Dept and the Sherrif's office.I am still proud to be a member of the community of Caldwell, however I think Benard Rychlik could have shown better judgement,then to hang out at the Longhorn and drink beer on Saturday. Boy, I want my kids to be just like that.
Posted by: M to: BTU supporter Location: Bryan on Sep 16, 2008 at 04:40 PM
I don't have a problem with any utility company, I think you might want to re read the posts. I think everyone should have been prepared to loose their power, I know in Robertson county for a fact received phone calls (a recorded message) saying that high winds were expected. I agree with some of the previous posts, stop blaming the utility companies, this is basic camping.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 16, 2008 at 03:48 PM
Entergy does not want to have to pay for any help. They want to keep every penny of their profits. All the big whigs probably have a generator or two and are not concerned about the outages personally. Its all about money. Has anyone witnessed any of the big whigs out with a chain saw cutting a tree off a line or out in a utility truck actually getting their hands dirty to help fix the problem. I doubt it very seriously.
Posted by: GR Location: BTU Customer on Sep 16, 2008 at 03:44 PM
Sounds like Entergy was making some big profits and plans on keeping them. Remember the linemen and other low end staff are not to blame. It is the people who make the decisions as to how much to charge and where to get the power from. Those people most likely can afford generators and are probably not even dampered by the outage. They don't want to fork over the money to get assistance from the local power companies. Do you honestly think the other local power companies are going to help restore Entergy power without being paid?? I think not. Entergy needs to do a major internal audit as to why so many of their customers are STILL out of power and are told they will be out for a while longer. Entergy's power plants were not sitting on the Galveston coast!
Posted by: AC on Sep 16, 2008 at 02:47 PM
I would encourage the residents of Caldwell, Brenham, Franklin, and Navasota to file power outage complaints with the Texas PUC. It can be done on line by accessing the "Texas PUC" site from your internet provider search engine. Having a backup plan for power transmission is the responsibility of cities with working governments and utility departments. That should be a consideration when going to vote for your local officials in the future. I listed Entergy and the City of Caldwell as equally responsible parties on the PUC complaint that I filed this morning. I urge you to do the same in your area. That should get more attention than KBTX reporting Ronnie Hale's daily excuses. I am more concerned with the problems that the residents are facing without power, groceries, pharmacies, nursing homes, and other vital services than how bad Entergy has it. There are ways to provide for alternate power transmission in Texas. Bryan, CS, and TAMU have been on switchable loops for years.
Posted by: sherrill holder Location: bryan on Sep 16, 2008 at 02:30 PM
I just called A & M athletics (862-2586) and asked them if they are having a game on Saturday. They of course said yes. They said they are encouraging people from out of town to give up their rooms for the evacuees. I just called several of the hotels in the area and if you have a room reserved for the game you will get it. What happens to the people that need shelter? Oh Yeah! the game comes first. Also waste of gas for those that are praying for gas! Hum just saying!!!
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Robertson County on Sep 16, 2008 at 01:30 PM
How come everything about the electricity and economical effects this is having is basically all about burleson and grimes county? Did you 4get that Robertson county is in the brazos valley? Bremond, Franklin, and Calvert!
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 16, 2008 at 12:46 PM
BTU lines go almost to Caldwell High School. I heard they were offering assistance, as well.
Posted by: Mary Location: Caldwell on Sep 16, 2008 at 11:39 AM
I really don't want people to know I am from Caldwell. The mayor made our community look foolish and uncaring due to a festival. No preparations were made for a storm that was unpredictable and now many citizens are suffering due to a neglectful mayor and city manager. Maybe this will give our mayor a realization that it is time to retire when a festival is your top priority other than the citizens that pay these high priced electrical bills in this community!
Posted by: Navasota Refugee Location: Tarrant County on Sep 16, 2008 at 11:22 AM
We made it three days before leaving Navasota- generators keep your refrigerator cold for only so long- the trouble becomes keeping it fueled, then unpredictable land line and mobile phone service, limited hospital services, and no food-gas-grocery availability locally. Our community has already lost budget control for the year over this emergency. Generators for water and sewer are not for free-and are in risk of being overwhelmed. I attended an emergency council meeting where a sidebar discussion included information that Entergy CHOSE not to pay interconnect fees and higher rates for power and connect to ERCOT resources to get Navasota power in a matter of hours. There must be a better way! Had Navasota simply had co-op power as the areas close by currently use- there would be no red tape in the way of a quick return to somewhat normal life- no need for a curfew with fire and police on extended duty- no need for 24x7 generator support of the water and sewer systems.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 16, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Entergy did call in help from all over the U.S..
Posted by: ANONYMOUS Location: CALDWELL on Sep 16, 2008 at 10:42 AM
I AGREE WITH JOHN BELOW. This being without power for up to a month is just unacceptable. We need to switch to Bluebonnet, BTU or any local supplier. I am not even sure that Rychlik or anyone else has even spoken with Entergy to let them know we are with out power. Where did the 2-4weeks come from? I live in Caldwell and elected officials need to step up to the plate and do what it takes to get the power back on, even if it means spending some money. We are the ones who pay for it anyway. Shame on the Kolache King.
Posted by: TAXPAYER Location: CALDWELL on Sep 16, 2008 at 10:24 AM
IF THE BAKERY WAS OPEN TO KEEP MILK COLD FOR BABYS,IT WOULD BE GOOD THAT THE CITY OF CALDWELL PROVIDE A LARGE GENERATOR FOR THE KOLACHE CAPITAL.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Robertson Co. on Sep 16, 2008 at 10:04 AM
I just wanted to say that I have seen alot of news coverage regarding the power outage in Calvert, Bremond, Franklin and Kosse. However there has been no mention of the help that has been given by Hearne Fire Dept to these towns. Hearne Fire Dept has been on their toes since Thursday awaiting the hurricane. Many members have been there everyday and sometimes spending several nights just to do what they can to help with this situation. They have been cooking for surrounding towns, helping to unload evacuees, providing water, ice, food items and much needed help. I would like to thank everyone that has volunteered to try to make this bad situation run as smoothly as possible. We appreciate you all! Bless all that are displaced, have no power, or have suffered any loss due to the hurricane and thanks to everyone that is helping to try to make it all better.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 16, 2008 at 09:25 AM
"Some simple solutions would be to either have built a secondary power plant in this area or arrange to buy power from local entities while their power plants in Beaumont or further away are down." Wasn't the proposed Franklin plant as well as several other previous proposals that Entergy really really tried hard to build cancelled because of the opposition in "this area"? And as far as obtaining power from local utilities, I've heard that they locals told them they had nothing to spare, and ole T-Bone hasn't been able to con the State into building all the transfer lines from his West Texas hot air farms and giving them to him for free, although you can bet he's going to be trying to get into the taxpayers wallets for that again after this...
Posted by: JOHN Location: CALDWELL on Sep 16, 2008 at 09:05 AM
THE NEWS IN CALDWELL IS THAT BLUEBONNET ELECTRIC OFFERED TO HOOK THE CITY OF CALDWELL UP TO THEIR GRID AND WE WOULD HAVE ELECTRICITY IMMEDIATELY (FOR $80k). OUR WONDERFUL MAYOR (KOLACHE RYCHLIK) REFUSED
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 16, 2008 at 08:36 AM
What do you mean Entergy turned help down? So communities will continue to sit in the dark for weeks when nearby power companies could supply their districts with power???? Are they afraid they will lose customers??? ARE YOU KIDDING ME????
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 15, 2008 at 09:26 PM
There are numerous school districts, hospitals, government buildings, doctor offices, etc. without power for who knows how long. There are many senior citizens in these areas who have health problems (diabetes, heart conditions, etc.) who don't need this stress on their bodies - especially if the temperatures go back up into the 90s. The upper management of Entergy should have already had a plan for a major hurricane affecting or damaging their current infrastructure. Some simple solutions would be to either have built a secondary power plant in this area or arrange to buy power from local entities while their power plants in Beaumont or further away are down. Power is not out due to local power lines, but due to power lines over 100 miles away. But, this costs money and Entergy preferred to cut costs, putting more money in their pockets. This is not a slam on the linesmen who are working extremely hard, this is a slam of their white collar upper management.
Posted by: d Location: bryan tx on Sep 15, 2008 at 05:33 PM
entergy was offered help by another local utility and turned the help down. sounds like the problem lies with entergy, and locals should have the right to tell them to hit the road back to louisiana
Posted by: AIMEE Location: LAKE SOMERVILLE on Sep 15, 2008 at 03:52 PM
I was in an area that I thought would go without power first but Bluebonnet worked all summer redoing poles, transformers and lines. Thank you to Bluebonnet! When I found that I was going to be fine I went and took my generator, bottled water and things into caldwell to make sure others that were without could still keep going. Towns are about the people coming together and rising above Mayors, Judges and officials. I know people in Caldwell are great but it seems officials bring in the bad impressions of the people. Everyone in Caldwell and the surrounding towns that are helping get a big huge THANK YOU! People need to take care of people an when elections come up, remember who was there for you and who wasn't. Who do you want to be? A Great person!
Posted by: BTU Supporter Location: BCS on Sep 15, 2008 at 03:38 PM
To: M Location: rural BTU employees worked 24 straight hours to restore power to their customers. I can not vouch for the other power companies, but our guys were climbing poles, cutting trees and repairing lines early Saturday and through out the ENTIRE weekend (day and night) in the hurricane weather. While you and many others were seeking shelter inside your homes, these guys were out facing the elements. Once power to their system was undercontrol, a crew was sent South to help restore power to areas with more major problems. Yes, it is frustrating for those having to deal without the often over looked luxury of electricity, but find fault in your own utility company and not the companies that you do not belong to. Go run an extension cord from your utility companies offices. BTU can only do so much.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 15, 2008 at 03:23 PM
Maybe if you were awesome you wouldnt have these problems
Posted by: M Location: Bryan on Sep 15, 2008 at 02:37 PM
Everybody can say what they want and blame the companies, but the bottom line is this, no plan will ever survive mother nature, not the titanic, not the buildings in california or the utility companies, so you can either do what you're doing (ie. Nothing/ gripe) or for future reference be prepared. You should prepare for the worst, and if it happens you'll be ready, if it doesn't consider yourself lucky and count your blessings.
Posted by: annonymous Location: Milam County on Sep 15, 2008 at 02:26 PM
HOw about since Alco isn't going to work with Luminant anymore (or so their excuse to layoff hundreds)...why not just tap into that for Entergy's local needs . see: http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/20579229.html Entergy is telling the local schools power maybe out for 3 to 8 weeks...not 2 days. Discussing or bantering about the idea that Entergy would have a better disaster plan has nothing to do with not being sympathetic with those that were directly affected, heck there are a bunch of those that evacuated that are stuck in these areas without power. Imagine evacuting to your family in a 'safe' area to only be stuck without power and you can't go home! The local grocery stores don't have power either!
Posted by: Cynthia Location: Bryan on Sep 15, 2008 at 01:27 PM
I'm guessing that everyone posting statements on here about how they don't have electricity is magically finging ways to post blogs on the internet. Amazing to me that our nation suffers a huge natural disaster and you're complaining about being out of power for 2 days...so far. Think about the people that sat in evacuation sites and watched thier homes topple in Galveston. Come on people...there's plenty of help if you want it...Red Cross, FEMA, neighbors (although if I were your neighbor and saw how ungrateful you are, I don't know if I'd offer help), churches, and many others that are helping out in times of need. I'm sorry you don't have electricity to blow-dry your hair, but in the big picture, your hair is the least of any energy companies concerns!
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 15, 2008 at 01:26 PM
"I would think they would have some kind of emergency plan to work with other local electric companies to keep these local municipalities in power during castropic situations." Entergy would have to answer that one for sure, but I for one suspect that they DID have a plan in place which involved purchasing power from the local CoOps who normally BUY surplus power from the big super high effiency Entergy plants rather than build enough little plants to give them 100% independence. But with this magnitude of disruption, when Entergy asked the CoOps on their western edge for power, all the CoOp cupboards were already bare trying to keep their own customers going without having Entergy's help...and so the fastest way to restore Entergy power to the West is to send all the linemen to repull the lines in the East. Which is why I wish Holtzapple could make his StarRotor motor work to provide SMALL high efficiency generating plants to provide the redundency we need.
Posted by: to M Location: rural on Sep 15, 2008 at 01:19 PM
To 'prepare' is to have a back up plan! You PREPARE for an emergency with back up plans...hopefully at graduated levels according to the severity of it all. It would just seem that Bremond, Franklin, Calvert, Caldwell, Somerville, Gause, Lyons, etc that really had little to no storm damage are without power for maybe weeks because Entergy didn't maybe come up with a way to route around areas that weren't in the castropic hit area. It isn't just about electricity but also sewer, water and phones. Yet, most of these communities are 'islands' because rural cooperatives or other electic companies around them are up and running but they apparently can't get help from them....guess no extension cord is long enough to run from BTU, HOT coop, or MidSouth to Entergy locally.
Posted by: anonymous Location: Milam County on Sep 15, 2008 at 12:18 PM
To Anon at 6:50 am, I'm sure all the folks that were against the power plant in Robertson County aren't complaining. I'm sure they are sitting enjoying their solar powered home . First off...the gripe is that a very large company obviously had no emergency plan except to take all the local hardworking linemen from here and take them down to the coast. I would think they would have some kind of emergency plan to work with other local electric companies to keep these local municipalities in power during castropic situations. I bet all those that complained about Hearne's high electic rates the last few years are sitting happy in their air conditioned houses right now. BUT I WOULD LIKE PHONE SERVICE ATT!!!!!!!!
Posted by: NATALIE Location: CALDWELL on Sep 15, 2008 at 11:28 AM
I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT NOT HAVING ELECTRICITY IS VERY FRUSTRATING. ON THE OTHER HAND WE SHOULD ALL BE VERY THANKFUL THAT WE STILL HAVE OUR HOMES AND WE ALL CAME THROUGH THE STORM. I ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THE MAN WHO RUNS J&H FOOD MARKET (RAFIK MOHAMED) WENT FAR AND BEYOND TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY BY HOOKING UP GENETATORS SO WE COULD HAVE A PLACE TO PURCHASE THINGS. HE IS REALLY AN AMAZING PERSON AND WE ARE ALL THANKFUL TO HIM. AGAIN FELLOW CALDWELLIANS KEEP THE FAITH, GOD WILL SEE US THROUGH THIS. MAY HE BLESS AND KEEP EVERYONE IN HIS CARE.
Posted by: M Location: Bryan on Sep 15, 2008 at 10:17 AM
hhmm, lets see, if all the utility companies had a back up plan, there would be no need to to "prepare" for any storm. My brother works for an electric company, and he is helping supply all these other towns with supplies to get the power back up, when they can get to the grids. You have a few choices, the obvious gripe about it, next time be prepared, leave, everybody was born crying, don't you think its about time you stopped?
Posted by: Brenda Location: Caldwell on Sep 15, 2008 at 09:35 AM
Citizen safety seems to be the least of the worries of Mayor Rychlik of Caldwell. While he sits comfortably in his home with his generator, his fellow citizens especially the elderly and infirmed are suffering in the heat. Mayor Rychlik showed just how much he cares about the safety of Caldwell residents when he refused to cancel the Kolache Festival with Hurricane Ike headed this way. He ordered city workers to put folding chairs out by the Czech museum on Thursday night. Those chairs could have caused damage and even death had Ike turned to the West just a little. As far as this citizen is concerned had that happened he would have been morally, criminally, and civilly liable for any damages and deaths that would have occurred. He is lucky he just got re-elected and that people have short memories. He will probably be re-elected next term too. I have also heard that the City of Caldwell owns a generator big enough to give power to the whole city, which they won't use.
Posted by: Resident Location: BCS on Sep 15, 2008 at 08:49 AM
Thank you to all the BTU employees who worked around the clock in the dangerous weather conditions to restore power lost to their customers.
Posted by: Mid-South Customer on Sep 15, 2008 at 08:12 AM
We are on Mid-South and although the winds were blowing so hard we watched trees topple, we NEVER lost power. I couldn't believe it. I thank the Lord and I thank Mid-South. However, our neighbors who are on Entergy, lost power by 8:00 a.m. Sat. morning and are still without. At least we've been able to help our neighbors out with showers and a cool place to stay when they want it. That being said, we are doing what we can to conserve energy in our home and are so very thankful for the cool front that has blown in. Mid-South: You guys rock!
Posted by: To anonymous on Sep 15, 2008 at 06:50 AM
150 of Entergy's Highline towers are down, along with thousands of wood distribution poles, all of which need to be replaced. In addition, there are probably hundreds of places where fallen trees have downed the lines between the poles before that "switch" can be thrown. It's true that in areas well away from the storm center, they could play Russian roulette and throw the switches hopeing that the trips were just wind blown lines touching momentarily, but if they are wrong, they blow the generators... And it has nothing to do with profit that most of Entergy's initial focus is on getting the refineries and the workers who man them back in place. The ERCOT grid HERE survived better because it is small, local, and none of it was in the direct impact area; haven't heard how well they did up around Crockett. Expand it and it ends up in the same boat as Entergy. And also, weren't you one of the folks who killed the proposed Franklin Coal plant they were trying to build "here in Texas"?
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Caldwell on Sep 15, 2008 at 05:26 AM
I agree with Joe in Caldwell. With all the money we pay for our electricity here we should of had some kind of back up plan.
Posted by: bedias Location: bedias on Sep 15, 2008 at 01:46 AM
Debbie, Eletricity supplied by Mid South in Bedias has been restored. Entergy customers are still without. There seem to be a lot of trees down and some minor flooding but no injuries that I have head of.
Posted by: Greg Location: Anderson on Sep 15, 2008 at 01:36 AM
I guess we get to realize just how reliant we are on big companies that provide for us the things we need. I hate having Entergy for an Electric Provider with the high fuel surcharges (which are higher than my actual usage). I am about ready to sell my house and move across the highway just to get back to Mid South like I had prior to moving into this house. Even though my hatred for them is apparent, I still have to be patient. This was a "Act of God" in all reality. There is not anyway of building a stonger system of sending Electricity to us from so far away. What is kind of Ironic is that We have two power plants in Grimes County and much of the county is in the dark waiting for our power from Louisiana to get here.
Posted by: IKE SURVIVOR Location: IN IKE"S PATH on Sep 14, 2008 at 11:07 PM
Yall who are complaing need to step back and look at what has just happened. GOOD GRIEF. It was a storm of HUGE magnitude. Do yall think that any preparation could have prevented the transmission lines from being toppled. Those of you who did not feel the winds of 80 mph-- get in you vehicle and get the speed to 80 and put your head out the window and see how long you can tolerate the force of the wind before you bring your SKIN TORN FACE back into the vehicle. PEOPLE, no preparation could stop the winds from toppling the power lines. I understand we have become a society that wants everything now and we feel that we should not have to do without, but no one and no one can stop "MOTHER NATURE". Wind and water or the 2 deadliest forces on the planet. When yall figure out how to control these you are then a "SUPREME BEING".
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 14, 2008 at 09:57 PM
I agree with the last couple of posts. I have the utmost respect for the people who are working their rears off. The problem is with upper management. They have to plan ahead for their customers, not just their shareholders. It's no surprise that we had a hurricane on the upper north Texas coast. It is no surprise that a power source from Louisiana would be taken out. Why not have a system where Entergy can purchase and divert power from other companies for their customers. Why must the customer due without power for 2-3 weeks, as my parents and thousands of others are, when it wouldn't be necessary if upper management had planned ahead.
Posted by: anonymous bystander Location: Brazos Valley on Sep 14, 2008 at 08:51 PM
Entergy's goal (like any for profit company) is to maximize shareholder wealth. This is done by cost cutting. Community owned municipals and rural electric co-ops are a different breed---its shareholders are its users----their wealth is new poles, new transformers, generation that is closer to the load and more robust transmission. Its a crying shame that Entergy's generation to power folks in Lyons,Caldwell,Navasota and others mostly comes from plants on the Texas-Louisiana border. This is not good for Texans. We need ERCOT to expand, let more Texas companies serve Texans and have more reliable power. Lets kick Entergy out of Texas. We deserve better.
Posted by: anonymous Location: Milam County on Sep 14, 2008 at 07:51 PM
I have power but I have no phone. I have a generator, two as a matter of fact that I've loaned to neighbors without power. No complaints are in regard to the hard working linemen in the field. My grandfather was a linemen in the day of building all rural electrical systems..the hard way without power tools!. My beef is that in this day and age of terrorists, etc that a large electric company didn't have a back up plan! Yes, a direct hit by any storm or natural disaster can not be avoided but they should have plans and safeguards for all the customers that were not in that area. WE were told that a 'switch' might just need to be reset...but that it might take days for someone to do that. Please tell me that isn't so!?! How do the elderly or disabled get help if they can't call 911? Note how many schools are closed...and most didn't have any storm damage, but it is all electrical from damage from many miles away.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 14, 2008 at 07:30 PM
Calvert is working off of generators to keep the water flowing... FEMA is here passing out water and ice
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 14, 2008 at 06:58 PM
Thank you BTU for keeping the electricity flowing.
Posted by: Kris Location: Navasota on Sep 14, 2008 at 06:41 PM
It is absolutely amazing how many people get on these message boards to vent without ever doing their "homework" Entergy's transmission lines (these are the lines that bring power to the substations) were damaged by Hurricane IKE...Not by any form of neglect or lack of preparation by Entergy. Before you get too defensive understand that I too am an Entergy customer without power and must face the next few days to two weeks in the dark. As for the rural coop's, they simply got lucky that their trans lines were not damaged this time. You can take a look at Entergy's website for details regarding outages in your area and also see the damage that Entergy has sustained from Ike.
Posted by: Bobbi Location: Caldwell on Sep 14, 2008 at 06:36 PM
For Debbie: My mother in law lives in Bedias they have now power or phone lines, we could not speak long because she cant charge her cell phone.......wish I knew more
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 14, 2008 at 05:44 PM
I agree with the comment about the generator. You go!!! If you don't have any patience or compassion for these men working hard--then go get a generator. You must have some power right now, if you're on here complaining.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 14, 2008 at 05:42 PM
Entergy does have other companies coming in to help. And the problem is with the main transmission lines, which sustained a lot of damage. The men are working, and have been working on them since they could get out in the field. We have a family member who works for Entergy and we have not seen him sinch Saturday afternoon. These men are working hard, and should be recognized for their hard works. When the transmission station is fixed, you will most likely have your power restored. They provide the "juice" for the power lines. The other co-ops did not have this severe of a problem.
Posted by: Navasota Location: anderson on Sep 14, 2008 at 05:33 PM
To the navasota comment rusihing Entergy...be a little more respectful. Those guys are working are working very long hours to try to get everyone's power back on. They live in this area and their families are suffering just like the rest of us. You need to step back and look at the big picture. Those guys are risking their lives in this destruction and the least you could do is be a little more appreciative.
Posted by: JOE Location: CALDWELL on Sep 14, 2008 at 04:32 PM
I think that the mayor and city manager of caldwell, need to find them selfs another job. first they make the city look like fools not just cancling the kolache festival when they knew that ike was going to hit this area.now the people of caldwell are in the dark and most likly going to be out of water..when there is no damage to the service lines in this area. our harts go out to the people that have had all the damage from this storms. the city of caldwell is in good shape but yet they r in the dark...the mayer need to get off his butt and find a way to solve the power problem in caldwell !!!!
Posted by: anonymous Location: Milam County on Sep 14, 2008 at 04:12 PM
I'm sorry but after tropical storm Allison, the electric and phone companies should have taken note to the 'domino' effect for outages from areas that were directly hit and those not but suffered from utility outages. What happened to being prepared? They should have emergency plans in effect to keep power and services to areas that were not in direct 'hit' areas. So there are places that got little to no rain and wind but yet can't have school or grocery stores open because of no power or water..or phone! Yet a couple of hundred yards away and surrounding these small towns are rural cooperatives that are keeping their customers serviced. Why doesn't Entergy pick up the phone and call for help from these other companies to help these towns????
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 14, 2008 at 04:07 PM
After this is all over some of you, with not patience, might want to invest in a small generator.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 14, 2008 at 03:16 PM
This is from the Houston Chronicle today: Entergy Texas also is struggling with damage to more than 150 of its transmission towers, including several toppled structures along rights of way, according to spokesman David Caplan. Northeast of Houston, communities including The Woodlands, Conroe, Splendora and Liberty sustained some of the worst transmission damage in the Entergy electricity service area. The company will build new transmission towers in a fabrication yard and ship them into affected areas, but company officials warn the hardest hit communities might be without power for three weeks or more.
Posted by: navasota Location: navasot on Sep 14, 2008 at 02:11 PM
Hurry up Entergy. Give us some time line for when we will get power back.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Calvert on Sep 14, 2008 at 01:12 PM
Also, Frankln and Bremond, along with the city of Calvert are without electricity. There is a total of 42,000 plus Entergy customers are without power, this is sad, you would think Entergy would have some backup!!!
Posted by: Ken Johnson Location: Navasota on Sep 14, 2008 at 10:46 AM
The latest report on Entergy's customers without power is limited to Burleson Co. and the Lyons Water Supply Corp. However, Entergy serves thousands of homes and farms in the City of Navasota and rural areas not served by Mid-South Synergy. I live on a 200-acre farm on the outskirts of Navasota with five residences, including 16 evacuees from Clute, served by a single well. It is imperative to know whether Entergy will have power restored to the area within a couple days or a week or two. Ken Johnson (979) 645-0543 aggieman88@hotmail.com
Posted by: Debbie Location: Oregon/Bedias on Sep 14, 2008 at 10:25 AM
I am a long time resident of Bedias and have family there... Can anyone give any information how Bedias faired?
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 14, 2008 at 09:56 AM
There are also over 4000 homes in Madison County without power who are provided for by Entergy.
Posted by: hmj Location: Gause on Sep 14, 2008 at 09:28 AM
Gause is out of power as is Calvert, but the surrounding locations that are blessed with rural cooperatives are NOT. Entergy needs to get on the ball! Now we are without telephone because the substations are in the communites without power. IT is a shame that companies don't think ahead to avoid communities not hit by large storms should also be knocked out. Catastropes in Houston shouldn't take power and communications away from communities hundreds of miles away!
Posted by: Gregory Location: Somerville on Sep 14, 2008 at 12:14 AM
I see no mention of Somerville in this story, just 4 miles from Lyons with many more residents. Somerville is without power as well.
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