HOUSTON — More than 200 CenterPoint Energy employees and contractors will head out early Monday to help restore power to our neighbors in Louisiana.
They are leaving from three different service centers across the Houston area, rolling out at sunrise.
All of New Orleans was in the dark overnight with nearly a million customers reportedly without power across the region hit hardest by Hurricane Ida, which has now been downgraded a tropical storm. The only buildings with lights have a backup power generator.
LIVE BLOG: Get the latest updates on Ida's impacts here
Power crews are ready to work, but the companies involved warn that some Louisianans could be without power for days — perhaps even weeks.
The Houston crews heading to Louisiana are helping out in Baton Rouge. Crews are coming from other states as well.
They’ll be helping for at least two weeks.
Partial statement early Monday from CenterPoint:
"CenterPoint Energy crews will begin working 16-hour shifts after the safety and onboarding process is complete and will continue to take the necessary steps to protect the safety and well-being of customers, employees, contractors and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
CenterPoint Energy is part of electric utility mutual assistance programs that provide access to thousands of linemen and tree trimmers from around the country to lend a hand during widespread power outage emergencies. Coming to the aid of other utilities is nothing new to CenterPoint Energy employees. Over the years, crews have responded and restored power to hundreds of thousands of customers throughout the country who have been left in the dark following hurricanes, ice storms, tornadoes and severe thunderstorms."