Cook-Nelson spoke about the momentum currently behind nuclear power and salient support for the clean environment initiative. She relayed Entergy’s commitment to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and talked about the need to understand how to keep a diverse energy portfolio, citing nuclear energy’s fuel security, reliability and safety as chief reasons it will be key to helping create a carbon-free future. Cook-Nelson also noted some of the challenges of advanced nuclear, such as financial gaps, technical readiness, and regulatory and project risks.

She was one of several nationally-acclaimed speakers at the annual event, which began in 2000 to provide learning and networking opportunities across the broad range of engineering disciplines and topics.

The Tulane Engineering Forum is organized by the engineering alumni of Tulane University and the Tulane School of Science and Engineering.

When Kenyon Webber, Entergy senior lead nuclear engineer, moved to the Greater New Orleans area, she wanted to continue her involvement with STEM-related programs and organizations. Webber initially worked with STEM NOLA, but more recently became involved with FIRST Robotics competitions, Girl Scouts of Louisiana, Girls in STEM at Tulane and STEM Goes Red with the American Heart Association. She also a board member with STEM Library Lab and the 1881 Institute.

For her outstanding leadership in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math across New Orleans, Webber has been selected by the American Heart Association and Entergy as one of six 2024 “Women in STEM” honorees.

“This honor means so much to me because it aligns with my personal values, and the STEM Goes Red program has allowed me the opportunity to reach so many young ladies that may not have otherwise been introduced to STEM programs,” Webber said. “STEM GOES RED gives them hands-on experiences and the opportunity for me to encourage the young ladies to pursue majors that may be outside their comfort zone.”

Webber says underrepresentation by females in engineering is a motivator for her involvement in these programs. It allows her to show young women that there are females advocating in the industry and to spark their interest in STEM careers.

“It is also important to introduce them to the many aspects of engineering available to them and to help them understand their own capabilities,” she said.

Webber will be recognized at the 2024 Go Red for Women Luncheon on Friday, March 1 with the other honorees.

“We are incredibly thankful for the work that Kenyon Webber has done to advance STEM in our community. She is the true definition of ‘Girl Power’, and we look forward to recognizing her at our luncheon,” said Jodi Williams, development director for the American Heart Association in Greater New Orleans. “The American Heart Association and Entergy are dedicated to fostering the next generation of female STEM leaders. We believe we must continue to invest in STEM with the knowledge that improvements can always be made, and transformative information can always be uncovered.”

“We are empowering young girls to take a seat at the table and dedicate their minds to advancing the STEM fields,” she continued. “We acknowledge the journey our honorees have taken to become a STEM leader and are excited to be honoring them this year.”

The American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all, is working to close the gender gap in STEM careers. The goal is to deepen the pipeline of women entering STEM careers by exposing middle to high school age girls, but also all students, to the innovative strides women are making in fields like health care and engineering.

Hooker was more of a basketball guy when he played back in junior high school when Michael Jordan was every ball player’s idol. He was also a drag racer and still enjoys “tinkering around with race cars” in his free time. A retired Master Sergeant with the United States Air Force Reserve, Hooker is also active in programs that help disabled veterans, such as Wounded Warriors. He spent a total of 23 years between the Air Force and Army, and is a veteran of the Iraq and Gulf wars.

Hooker and his guest will be on the sideline from the pre-game warm-ups and will be guests in the V.I.P. Lounge, as well as in the Entergy where they will enjoy the game.

It will be Burgess’s first time to watch an NFL game live in-person, and only his second visit to the Crescent City.

“I’m excited,” said Burgess, who plans to bring a friend along for the occasion.

Burgess, a trouble man in the Rankin Network, has been with the company for 33 years. Antonio Christmas, his supervisor, said that he’s very deserving of the Lineman of the Game honor.

“Vince has great leadership skills and readily takes ownership of any task that he is given,” Christmas said. “He’s a team player who works well with his co-workers in getting the job done.  His commitment to safety coupled with the high quality of work he produces makes him an exceptional employee.”

Burgess will enjoy two nights in New Orleans, a pre-game on-field pass to watch the players warm up, plus tickets to the Entergy suite to watch the game in style.

As for the outcome?

“I predict it will be 21-14, Saints over the Seahawks,” he said.

Can he get a “Who dat?”

It’s particularly important to be prepared for flooding if you live in a low-lying area near a body of water, such as a river, stream or culvert, or downstream from a dam or levee.

Preparing for flooding

•  It’s one of the best ways to be prepared for any type of severe weather.
• Know your flood risk. Find out if you live, work or travel through areas prone to flooding. Based on what you learn, familiarize yourself with evacuation routes and assess the need for flood insurance.
• If you own a generator, review the instructions. Be prepared to operate it according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. 
• Particularly if you are considering evacuation, remove all food from freezers and refrigerators. Bring in outdoor furniture, and move important items to a higher elevation if possible. Shut off the electricity by locating your electrical circuit box. For your safety, always shut off all the individual circuits before shutting off the main circuit.

Flood safety

• Stay away from downed lines. If you see a downed line, keep your distance and call 1-800-ENTERGY (1-800-368-3749) to report it.
• Avoid areas of debris, as downed and energized power lines may not be visible.
• Don’t walk or drive through flood waters. Just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of water can sweep your vehicle away. In addition, water may be electrified from nearby downed lines.
• Use extreme caution when navigating boats in flooded areas around power lines to ensure boats and their occupants don’t come into contact with energized lines. 

For more information, consult the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s .

Terms to know

FLOOD WATCH: Watches inform of possible flooding. If you are in a watch area, check flood action plans, keep informed and be ready to act if a warning is issued or you see flooding.

FLOOD/FLASH FLOOD WARNING: A flood/flash flood warning is issued for specific communities, streams or areas where flooding is imminent or in progress. Persons in the warning area should take precautions immediately. Be prepared to move to higher ground on short notice.  

Sources: FEMA, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

So far, damage assessors have identified 28 broken poles, 166 spans of wire down, 13 damaged transformers and 11 broken crossarms. We expect to complete restoration to most, if not all, customers in Marks, Senatobia and Tunica by 10 p.m. tonight. We expect to complete restoration in DeSoto County by 10 p.m. Saturday, but may have some carryover to Sunday. With temperatures expected to remain below freezing overnight and tomorrow, we may continue to have some new scattered outages across the service area. 

We expect to provide an estimated restoration time for Desoto County later today as our damage assessment reports become more complete. These will be posted to our and here in the Entergy Storm Center.

Our restoration workforce numbers 800 and is restoring service to our customers as safely and quickly as possible, but they do have to take extra safety precautions due to the COVID-19 pandemic that can slow restoration somewhat.

As power is restored, demand for power will grow and we have to manage instantaneous demand. To help ensure we don’t have additional outages after restoration due to this sudden demand, we ask that customers without power turn off or unplug electric heat systems and appliances and turn them back on gradually after power is restored.

Our outages began climbing through the morning getting close to 10,000. While we have made significant progress restoring customers, road conditions slowed our progress and much of the wet roads will freeze overnight making travel difficult again on Friday.  We expect to be largely complete with our damage assessment by the end of the day Friday.  Another band of precipitation will pass through overnight that may cause more damage. We should have a clearer idea on restoration times by mid-afternoon Friday when our damage assessment reports become more complete.

Report outages and check your power status through the free Entergy app. You can also sign up for text messages about storm and restoration efforts by texting REG to 36778. Learn more: .

While we have the people, crews and resources ready to respond quickly and safely, restoration may take longer, especially if there are widespread outages, due to the additional safety measures, such as social distancing, that our crews must take during the COVID-19 pandemic. Restoration times may be unavailable until this weekend depending on damages and road conditions in the most impacted areas.

As with any weather event, please be mindful of the following safety tips:

• Live wires can be deadly. Stay away from downed power lines. Call 1-800-9OUTAGE or 1-800-968-8243 to report downed or dangling power lines, damaged or downed poles or other damaged equipment.
• Do not trim trees or remove debris on or near downed power lines. Only power company crews or their contractors should remove trees or limbs touching power lines.
• Keep away from the immediate areas where crews are working. There is always the danger of moving equipment and the possibility of construction materials, limbs or overhead wires falling to the ground.
• If you plan on using a generator for temporary power, get a licensed electrician and disconnect from the utility electric system before hooking up to your main electric panel. 
• Do not run a generator in a confined space without adequate ventilation. Use them only outdoors, following all manufacturers’ safety guidelines.
• Turn off any electrical appliances that can easily be turned to the off position until power is restored.
• Check on seniors, who can be particularly susceptible to extreme temperatures.
• Try to stay off the roads in affected areas. More traffic in bad weather leads to more accidents, including more injuries and fatalities as well as accidents that can damage electrical poles and other equipment, creating outages and impeding the ability of crews to access and repair damage and slowing restoration.

We want to keep you informed and in control. The best way to get information about outages is via Entergy’s View Outages page on our website.

Additional resources for your convenience:

• Download our app for your smartphone at entergy.com/app or visit to stay informed on our restoration progress.
• Sign up for text alerts. From your cell phone, text R E G to 368374.
• Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter @ EntergyMS.

Follow updates in your local news media.

Please monitor our Storm Center for up-to-date information, as well as Entergy Mississippi’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, emergency management officials and your local media. We are prepared for this storm and you should be, too. Be weather aware, but safety first and learn how to prepare for storm-related outages . In addition, with low temperatures in the forecast, customers will likely see increased energy usage and can minimize the impact on their bill by .