For years, scammers have posed as utility workers and attempted to steal financial information or obtain immediate payment from customers by threatening service interruptions. These utility impostor scams represent real financial loss for customers. In 2023, the Better Business Bureau that the median loss to customers who fell victim to utility scams as $463. To avoid losses, customers are encouraged to be familiar with the most common impostor utility scams.

Disconnection deception

Scammers call threatening disconnection of your utility service, demanding immediate payment by prepaid cards purchased at a local retail store (or credit card, debit card, bank draft, wiring money, etc.), and insisting you call them back with the card information to make payment. Entergy will send you one or more disconnection notices in the mail before disconnecting or shutting off your utility service, and we offer several bill without specifying the type of payment you need to make.

Bill payment or credit con

Scammers may provide you with a phony account routing number for you to use to pay your utility bills, receive a credit, or obtain federal assistance. In exchange for personal information that can be used for identity theft, you may get a payment account number. If the number is entered during an online transaction, it may appear that your bill is paid, but no funds are actually paid to the utility, the account balance remains due, and you may be charged a returned payment fee by your utility.

Equipment or repair bogus fee

Scammers call demanding a separate payment to replace or install a utility-related device or meter. If a utility needs to upgrade or replace a piece of equipment, Entergy will contact you ahead of time as a courtesy. If there is a charge related to work on equipment you might own, it will typically be included in your monthly bill.

Overpayment trick

Scammers call claiming you have overpaid your utility bill, and you need to provide personal bank account information or a credit card number to facilitate a refund. Entergy will usually apply any overpayments you have made to your utility account, allowing the credit balance to cover any future charges, or refund any overpayment by mailing a check.

Power restoration rip off

Scammers call offering to restore power quickly or in a preferential order for immediate payment or an upfront “reconnection fee,” typically in the aftermath of hurricanes and other severe storms causing widespread power outages. Entergy does not require payment to restore electricity after a natural disaster or other related outage.

Going phishing with smishing, vishing and quishing scams

Phishing occurs when scammers send potential victims an email to convince the recipient to transfer money, send a password or provide other personal data. While customers have learned to open emails with caution, they may not be familiar with the latest versions of these phishing attempts.

Smishing, short for SMS phishing, attempts to trick mobile phone users into giving scammers personal information, which can be used for identity theft, via a text or SMS message. Scammers like smishing, as consumers tend to be more inclined to trust text messages. Utility companies typically do not text you unless you have signed up for a specific notification service offered by your utility.

Vishing, or voice phishing, is a type of phishing attack where scammers use phone calls to trick individuals into revealing personal information, such as passwords or credit card numbers, by pretending to be a legitimate entity. This type of scam can be executed by real humans or via pre-recorded robocalls.

Quishing, or QR code phishing, is a relatively new scam where fraudsters have covered legitimate QR codes with their own to guide users to websites designed to steal personal information. For utility customers, if you are presented with a QR code in situations where payment is being requested always exercise caution and make sure you are using only Entergy-approved to complete transactions.

Contractor con

Scammers posing as utility workers or contractors affiliated with Entergy may knock on your door claiming to be employed or hired by us to reset, repair, replace, or inspect your utility meter or other utility-related device. If a utility employee or authorized contractor needs access to your home, an appointment will be scheduled in advance, and proper identification will be provided for your review.

Home improvement huckster

Scammers posing as utility workers may appear unannounced at your front door offering a free energy audit, efficiency inspection, or some other service. While Entergy does offer these types of programs to customers, these unsolicited intruders may be pitching unnecessary expensive products or attempting to steal items from you. Unless your Entergy has notified you in advance, or you initiated a request for such a service, exercise caution and do not let them into your home or business without verifying their identity.

Solar scammers

If you’re interested in solar panels, be careful when evaluating installation offers. Scammers use misleading sales tactics to trick homeowners out of money and personal information. There are reputable solar companies and contractors out there, but before accepting an unsolicited offer from a door-to-door salesperson, you should investigate the facts. Entergy does not partner with third-party solar companies for at-home solar solutions. While some Entergy contractors do perform solar work, they are prohibited from using their affiliation with Entergy to solicit solar business. Verify a salesperson’s identity by asking to see their badge or call us atĚý1-800-ENTERGYĚý(1-800-368-3749) to speak with a customer service representative.

Bogus bills

Scammers send suspicious emails that appear to be a bill sent by your utility company, potentially featuring your utility’s logo and color scheme. Do not click on any links or attachments in any email unless you have verified the sender. You may be directed to a scam website designed to steal your personal information, or you might install malicious software onto your computer without ever knowing it. Utility companies typically send bills by mail, unless you have opted to receive your bill by email.

How to safely pay your Entergy bill

Customers should only use the following Entergy-approved payment methods with valid and authorized banking information to pay their bills:

• Pay online (no fee) – For no additional charge, conveniently pay your bill online by electronic check. Log in securely toĚý to view and pay your bills.
• Pay by phone (fee) – Pay your bill by phone using a bank account, credit or debit card by callingĚý1-800-ENTERGYĚý(1-800-368-3749) or calling SpeedPay directly atĚý1-888-822-0553. Our pay-by-phone provider will charge a $2.50 convenience fee with Speedpay. Speedpay is the only credit card or debit card vendors authorized to process these payments over the phone.
• Pay by credit/debit card (fee) – There are currently four approved options to pay your utility bill with a credit card or debit card.
  • Pay onlinethrough our authorized credit or debit card vendor, Speedpay, for a $1.60 convenience fee. Access these sites by visiting to ensure secure payment options.
  • Pay by moBills^TMĚýthrough your smartphone’s native wallet with Speedpay for a $1.60 convenience fee.
  • Pay by TextĚýfor with your mobile phone with Speedpay for a $1.60 convenience fee. Receive a text message notification on your cell phone when your bill is ready. Simply reply to the text to pay your bill.
  • Pay by phoneĚýthrough Speeday with a $2.50 convenience fee by calling 1-800-ENTERGYĚý(1-800-368-3749).
• Walk-in payment centersĚý– Pay your utility bill in person with cash, check or money order at one of the authorized Quick Payment Centers in your community. A convenience fee may apply.
• Auto payĚý– Avoid late fees, writing checks and paying for postage by having your bill automatically deduct from your bank account when you enroll in AutoPay. We’ll provide a monthly billing statement to you for your records, showing the usage, bill amount and due date.
• Pay by mailĚý– Simply mail in your monthly payment in the envelope provided with your bill. It’s fast, easy and one stamp is all it takes for your payment to reach us. Please note, you may see delays in payment processing through this option due. To reduce delays, always provide your Entergy bill stub with your check payment in the courtesy envelope provided.

Customers who suspect that they have been victims of fraud should contact Entergy by calling 1-800-ENTERGY (1-800-368-3749) Be sure to have all details and any supporting documents available to discuss the suspicious activity on your utility account with an Entergy representative. You should also contact the proper authorities, such as the local police, the state attorney general’s office, or

Visit entergy.com/scams for information and tips on how you can protect yourself from impostor utility scams.

In the face of these drivers, we are committed to helping our customers keep their energy costs under control and on budget. We’ve recently launched our new online to empower customers with the resources and available assistance options to help them more easily manage their energy bill. Whether customers have questions about their bill, need more time to pay or are looking for assistance, our one-stop shop connects them to available programs and services.Ěý

The Bill Toolkit site includes comprehensive information on over two dozen programs or resources across our region available to help customers looking for bill management and assistance options. Programs or resources referenced on the site include:Ěý

• şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř efficiency programs and rebates.Ěý
• Deferred payment arrangements and payment extension options.Ěý
• Financial assistance offerings like The Power to Care, LIHEAP and Single Stop.Ěý

Low to no-cost energy saving tipsĚý

If customers are looking for low to no-cost tips to lower their summer energy bill, they can follow these quick and easy energy efficiency tips:Ěý

• Change air filters. Air filters on some air conditioning units require monthly cleaning or replacing.Ěý
• Set thermostats to the highest comfortable temperature. The smaller the difference between the inside and outside temperatures, the lower customers’ energy usage and bills will be.ĚýĚý
• Buy a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat can help manage costs, is controllable, and can help monitor usage.  Ěý
• Use fans to cool off. Ceiling fans, box fans and oscillating fans use very little electricity to circulate the air. Make sure ceiling fans are rotating in the right direction – counter-clockwise during summer – to push cooler air down into the room. Be sure to turn all fans off in unused rooms.Ěý
• Close blinds, shades and curtains to keep the sun out and the cool air in. Also, close air conditioning vents in rooms that are not in use.Ěý
• Seal cracks and holes around doors, windows and ductwork. Weather stripping and caulk will help keep the cold air in and the hot air out.Ěý

Connecting customersĚý

For customers needing help with their bill, Entergy’s Bill Toolkit provides a one-stop-shop for bill management tools and payment options, such as our bill projector and level billing, and customer assistance programs.ĚýĚý

To help our customers thrive, Entergy has donated funds to form a new partnership with , a free resource that makes it easy for customers to find assistance. The service provides a simple, direct path to support customers with housing, finance, food, education, healthcare, childcare, tax assistance, utility payments and more. The average household screened is eligible for benefits and resources valued at $17,600 and 96% of people who apply are approved. To get started, customers can provide their up-to-date information for an accurate estimate of the benefits they are eligible to receive. It only takes 10 to 15 minutes to submit details.Ěý

Entergy also partners with third-party agencies that provide utility bill assistance for qualifying households. Through Entergy’s The Power to Care program, local nonprofit agencies provide emergency bill payment assistance to adults aged 65 or older and individuals with disabilities. Customers also may be eligible to receive federal payment assistance through the Low Income Home şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Assistance Program or LIHEAP.Ěý

Keeping customer costs as low as possible is always a priority for Entergy. Our energy rates are some of the lowest in the nation. But higher temperatures can mean higher costs for everyone. We encourage customers to take control of their summer bill at .Ěý

myEntergy is your one-stop-shop to manage all aspects of your home’s utility account. With myEntergy, you can view your bill, schedule payments, manage your account settings and more. Customers with a myEntergy account can take advantage of our digital self-service options to easily perform actions like starting, stopping or moving services, viewing your home’s energy usage and even finding assistance options for bill payment arrangements. You can easily begin using these features by online today.

“Delivering experiences that delight our customers in the moments that matter most is the driving force behind these updates to our online tools,” said Yovanka Daniel, vice president, contact center operations. “We fully embrace our commitment to making our customers more successful, and by making these updates, we look forward to better serving customers with enhanced experiences that meet their evolving needs.”

What to expect

Beginning in September, our teams will deploy updates with a phased approach through the end of the year. When visiting myEntergy, you will first find a simplified navigation, easier payment processing and a more user-friendly browsing experience on mobile devices.

These updates come after extensive research into how our customers currently use myEntergy, and we have leveraged their feedback to prioritize our enhancements, focusing on what matters most to our customers first. After our initial launch, you can expect to see changes to our start, stop and move, outage, and account management pages throughout our site. Our updates also incorporate learnings from our and aligns our customer portal with Entergy’s broader digital presence on sites like Entergy.com, creating a more cohesive experience to customers engaging with our online properties.

Prepare yourself

With a new look and feel coming soon, we encourage our customers with a myEntergy account to verify your email address and phone number are current as we will provide updates on our progress to you through these channels. In addition to staying aware of changes to our customer portal, you’ll be able to review all of your notification preferences. Follow these easy steps to verify your contact information:

• Log in to your .
• Visit the .
• Verify your email and phone number contact details.
• To update your notification preferences, hit the “Edit all” button.
• Adjust your notification preferences.
• Click “Save” at the bottom of the page.

We put the safety and well-being of our customers at the forefront of everything we do. We want to assure customers that although myEntergy may look different when you visit it, you can still trust that your account information is secure. Unfortunately, we continue to see an increase in fraudsters’ attempts to scam our customers, and criminals can design fraudulent websites to deceive you into disclosing sensitive information. By verifying your contact information and bookmarking important URLs like , you can lower your risk of visiting a malicious site as we transition to a new customer experience.

We are excited to share with you an updated myEntergy site that provides our customers with a new look and feel to transform your energy experience. Our user-friendly customer portal will enhance your digital self-service options and make doing business with us easier and more convenient. With updates to features like our navigation and payment processes, we look forward to better serving you with enhanced experiences as we continue our commitment to meet the evolving needs of our customers.

This summer, portions of the U.S. have experienced , and there doesn’t look to be any relief in sight. Our service areas can continue to anticipate above average temperature in the coming week. With extreme temperatures, we’ve already seen customers surpassing previously set records for electricity usage, and we estimate that persistent high temperatures in the coming week could result in new peak usage in the regions we serve. Customers should be aware of how their energy usage impacts their bill costs.

In July, customers had the highest electricity usage we have seen over the past 10 years. And on Aug. 3, Entergy’s customers across our service area collectively surpassed a previously set record of electricity usage from last summer. High temperatures this summer also resulted in Entergy Texas customers surpassing the 2022 summer peak electricity usage total more than 10 times throughout July and early August. Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Louisiana customers also set new highs for their operating companies in early August. Additionally, we continue to see an upward trend with increased usage from across our service area from June to July.Ěý

Reduce energy usage, save on bills

When temperatures outside spike, more energy is typically used. This can result in higher-than-standard monthly bills, which can be an unwanted surprise. There are ways to stay comfortable and keep your bills down, like closing blinds and curtains to block the sun, setting the thermostat to 78 degrees or the highest comfortable temperature, and instead of using your electric stove or oven cook in a microwave oven or an outside grill.

“Many factors impact your energy bill, with weather and the resulting increased usage to cool your home being significant drivers of bill costs,” said Amy Walt, Entergy’s vice president of meter to cash, responsible for leading the company’s billing efforts. “Cooling and heating costs can make up more than 55% of an average customer’s electric bill and lowering your thermostat even one degree below 78 can raise your bill as much as 3%. For customers who are having trouble paying their, we encourage you to reach out to as soon as possible for help.”

Entergy offers a variety of energy efficiency programs and resources to help keep bills affordable. You can manage your energy usage and save money by installing energy efficient upgrades through these programs. Examples of products and services available at little to no cost include LED bulbs, smart thermostats, AC tune-ups, duct sealing and insulation. Learn more about our energy efficiency offerings within your area.

Stay on top of your usage

Higher usage is a major driver of a customer’s energy bill, but you don’t have to wait till your bill comes to find out how much energy you’re using. Customers with advanced meters can access detailed energy usage information through their online account, including daily usage information. şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř usage is updated several times daily, with displayed usage in 15-minute increments for electric customers and one-hour intervals for gas customers. This information can be found by logging into your or through the mobile app. Through proactive alerting, customers can set a monthly budget and energy use goals and receive notifications when they are nearing their selected goal. Visit entergy.com/myadvisor and sign into your account to check it out.

Find assistance

Entergy is committed to helping our customers in the face of extreme weather. When active heat advisories in your area are declared by the National Weather Service, we will proactively suspend disconnects for non-payment. For customers struggling to pay their bill, Entergy offers a number of payment options, such as level billing, auto-pay and more, as well as tools and programs designed to help customers manage energy usage. Entergy offers a number of bill payment options for customers who need support, including setting up a deferred payment or extension, bill assistance through The Power to Care program, LIHEAP – a federal government program that provides money to help people with energy bills and other energy-related expenses, and options like level billing and pick-a-date. Learn more on .Ěý

Quicks links to more resources

• Tips on  usage
• More about our company’s energy efficiency programs
• Ways to manage costs, receive utility bill assistance
• Monitor your energy usage on 

This summer brought some of the hottest weather on record, leading to record-breaking electricity usage. Compounding factors like inflation and dramatically higher natural gas prices resulted in high bills for our customers.

Tara Seavers, vice president, customer strategy and growth, sat down with on their latest podcast, “,” to discuss how Entergy provided real answers to our customers during their time of need. OurĚýefforts included committing $10 million in shareholder donations for bill payment assistance, organizing employees for weatherization events in our communities and providing fee waivers for qualifying customers. .

We kicked off the first weekend of Pride Month by sponsoring the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity’s Pride Build – the first of its kind for the organization. We had fifteen Entergy volunteers join other groups, local members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies to help build a home for a local family.

One of our volunteers was Courtney Glenn, a nuclear safety analysis engineer at our River Bend Station in Louisiana. She’s been with Entergy for four years, but recently relocated from the Indian Point şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Center in New York to join our Southern nuclear fleet. Courtney shared with me, “Volunteering was a rewarding experience. There was a sense of community amongst the volunteers as we worked together putting up the siding of the new home for a wonderful family. Based on the level of visibility of this event to the public, it shows that PRIDE is so much more than big parades and celebrations. It’s family, community and unity.”

Later in the week, the Pride ERG held a fireside chat with Entergy’s senior leaders to discuss issues and concerns affecting ERG members and our communities.

We also had more than 20 Entergy employees and their families participate in the New Orleans Pride Parade on June 11. It was the first parade in two years, and participants were met with smiles and cheers as the Entergy float made its way through the route. Entergy New Orleans sponsored the float and ENO President and CEO Deanna Rodriguez visited with participants at the parade.

It was the third time my husband and I participated in this event, and every year we enjoy getting to meet other employees throughout the company. Before the parade, we had a chance to speak with James “Bubba” Edwards II, who is director of Entergy’s nuclear training. He and his wife drove down from Mississippi to join our crew, and he shared this from his first Pride parade experience, “It was a great to meet people from different parts of the company with such diverse life experiences.ĚýDiscussing the parade with my transgender son helped us connect on issues that my son admitted were difficult for him to discuss with me before. Some of the people I met while being part of this event discussed things that helped me strengthen my relationship with my son. I now consider each person in that group a friend that makes my life fuller, and I am grateful for the experience.Ěý I am glad that Entergy supports these kind of events – it makes me proud to be an Entergy employee!”

As an Employee Resource Group, we’ve worked hard to create opportunities for our employees to connect and provide resources to them. We have updated our employee resource materials to include information about Entergy’s Employee Assistance Program specific to our community and other informational links to external resources. We’ve even had the opportunity to bring awareness about the importance of Pride Month to other employee groups through diversity, inclusion and belonging moments that are used to kick-off company and department meetings.

At Entergy, our leaders talk about the importance of creating a diverse and inclusive culture at work – that it isn’t just the right thing to do; the success of our business depends on it. I’m proud to work for a company that enables its employees and provides the opportunity to contribute to this goal through our activities and community.

Ěý

When weather phenomena strike, Entergy is well prepared to get your lights back on safely and as quickly as possible. We rely on our continuous cycle of planning, preparation and training. We call it Operation: Storm Ready.

Throughout September, we’ll share information to help you learn how Operation: Storm Ready prepares us year-round to deal with weather threats that affect our system and customers like you. You will find valuable information and tips to help you create your own plan and prepare for severe weather to help keep you and your loved ones safe. You will also learn how to find information to keep you informed about outages and the status of repairs on our website, entergystormcenter.com.

Remember, disasters happen. It’s important to prepare now.

This week, we’re talking about your emergency plan for yourself, family and friends.

Experts agree that having a family emergency plan and a kit of the basic supplies you’ll need in an emergency is the best way to be prepared for severe weather. Entergy has plans in place for how we will react to severe weather, and we urge our customers to have one, too.

Preparing your family emergency plan is not complicated. If your family is separated when disaster strikes, having a plan in advance will help you know how you will contact one another and how you will get back together. A kit of basic emergency supplies and a first aid kit are easy to assemble and are smart ways you can prepare for severe weather. Remember to check the expiration dates on your supplies often and replace the expired items.

After a storm passes, it likely will be some time before things return to normal. It could be hours or days. The best way to accomplish that is to have a kit ready containing the basic supplies you’ll need in an emergency. You can find lists from many sources to help you make your kit, including entergystormcenter.com, , and the . In general, experts agree your kit could include:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation.
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both. Cell phone with charger, inverter or solar charger.
• Flashlight and extra batteries.
• First aid kit with emergency reference material such as a first aid book.
• Complete change of clothing including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container.
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.
• Personal hygiene items including feminine supplies.
• Matches in a waterproof container.
• Paper towels.
• Paper cups, plates and plastic utensils or mess kits.
• Cash or traveler’s checks and change.
• Paper and pencil.
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.
• Whistle to signal for help.
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place.
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper. When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
• Fire extinguisher.
• Local maps.
• Prescription medications and glasses.
• Infant formula and diapers.
• Pet food and extra water for your pet.
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children.

Download this one-page from Entergy that includes additional information you should consider as you prepare your family emergency plan.

Be sure to check out our newly launched Storm Center and learn more about making your plan and preparing your kit.

One example of this was our recent participation in the Mississippi Science Fest. On Sept. 23, Echelon employees and team members representing and helped thousands of Mississippi kids and their families spark an interest in STEM at the .

“My daughter had a great time,” said Rebecca Lancaster, resident of Bolton. “The event was amazing! As a mother of a daughter, it was fantastic to see so many young girls and women attending.”

The event included hands-on activities, experiments and exhibits, as well as showing the range of career opportunities that exist for the next generation of Mississippi innovators, engineers and visionaries.

TheĚýĚýteam showcased robots that local high school students have built and designed with the support of adult mentors.

Entergy sponsors the robotics team for its annualĚý“For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology”Ěý(FIRST) competition. FIRST is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1989, by American engineer, inventor and businessman Dean Kamen.

Another example was from this past weekend in New Orleans, where Entergy sponsored an event with STEM NOLA for over 150 K-12 students. At the event, students learned the principles of circuits and electricity through hands-on activities where they built simple circuits of model traffic lights and flashlights.

To learn more about careers at Entergy, visit www.entergy.com/careers.

“There are so many benefits to being open at work and sharing our coming out stories with our co-workers,” Kim Noel, chair of the Pride Employee Resources Group says. “It eliminates the need for employees to hide or mislead our teams and makes building trusting working relationships easier when we can be comfortable in ourselves and share our personal experiences.”

National Coming Out Day was first observed 29 years ago as a reminder that every person who speaks up creates new advocates for equality. When people know someone who is LGBTQ or is an ally, they are more likely to support equality and inclusion.

Megan Norris, plant manager at Calcasieu Plant and asset manager at Acadia Plant, who has been with the company for 10 years, shared her personal story of coming out at work with others through Entergy’s employee website.

“It has been a freeing experience to be able to bring my whole self to work each day,” Norris says. “Entergy’s culture of dignity and respect is one of the main reasons I am a proud employee of this company.”

By sharing their stories, employees can also help provide a network of support within the company.

“I realize how important it is to be myself and not hide or be afraid of what I am feeling or who I love,” says Mike Atwater, manager, Entergy Shared Services – Supply Chain Planning and Performance, who has been with the company for 20 years. “I offer my ears to anyone who would like to discuss their story or just need someone to listen and understand what they may be going through.”

Throughout the first two weeks of October, employees have been able to share how Entergy’s commitment to diversity and inclusion helps them commit to being more thoughtful and accepting in their own personal lives.

Margaret Saik, lead auditor in Internal Audit Services, shares the reason why she came out as an ally.

“I recently became a mother, and as a parent, I have the responsibility to shape my son into the person he will become,” she said. “I hope to teach him to be kind, thoughtful, loving and accepting of everyone.”

In June of this year, Entergy Chairman and CEO, Leo Denault joined more than 150 CEOs from across the U.S. to sign on to , a large CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion within the workplace.

By signing this commitment, CEOs pledged to take action to cultivate a workplace where diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected, where employees feel encouraged to discuss diversity and inclusionĚýand to work together with other companies to evolve existing diversity strategies by sharing successes and challenges with one another. Ěý

A growing body of research reveals that stronger business outcomes directly correlate with diverse teams and inclusive workplace environments, and pledges like help demonstrate the importance of fostering a culture that can attract and retain the best and brightest employees.

Entergy currently has more than 25 employee-directed diversity and inclusion councils throughout seven states, four companywide employee resource and affinity groups, mandatory diversity and inclusion training for all employees and managers, and staffing and succession planning programs focused on ensuring that every employee, without regard to gender, race, sexual orientation, disability or any other characteristic are given the tools and resources needed to help them reach their greatest career potential.

Learn more about the Entergy’s commitment to the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion, here.

To find out more about Entergy’s commitment to Diversity & Inclusion, visit: entergy.com/about-us/diversity-inclusion

Hurricanes pose a serious threat to Entergy’s system and our customers. Low-lying areas along the Gulf of Mexico are obviously vulnerable, but inland areas hundreds of miles from the coast can also suffer the high winds and flood damage of a hurricane. Preparation and careful planning can help you and your business face the challenges hurricanes pose.

Stay Hurricane Aware

As you consider your business’ response to a potential hurricane, you should be aware of the system’s current stage of development.

The first stage of development is called a tropical disturbance, a tropical weather system generally 100 to 300 nautical miles in diameter and maintaining its identity for 24 hours or more.

The second stage of development is called a tropical depression. This is a system of very dark, disturbed and stormy weather with sustained winds of 38 mph or less.

The third stage of development before becoming a hurricane is called a tropical storm. This is an organized weather system of strong thunderstorms with a distinct circulation. The maximum sustained winds are 39-74 mph. As the tropical storm’s sustained winds increase to 75 mph or higher, the characteristic “eye” wall at the center of the circulation appears, thus signaling the formation of a hurricane.

Watch vs. Warning

A hurricane watch means a hurricane is possible in your area within 36 hours. Be prepared to evacuate. Monitor local radio and television news outlets or listen to NOAA weather radio for the latest developments.

A hurricane warning is when a hurricane is expected in your area. You should leave the area if local authorities advise you to evacuate.

Prepare your business

While many of us consider preparing our homes in the event of a hurricane, do you have a plan for preparing your business location? Your business will need some simple preparation to help protect it from hurricanes and their aftermath. Government and relief agencies all recommend the following:

• Cover all of your business’ windows with plywood or permanent hurricane shutters to protect your windows from high winds and flying debris. You can pre-cut the plywood in fair weather and store it off the ground until needed.
• Trimming trees and shrubs away from your office helps make them more wind resistant and lessens the likelihood of them damaging your business.
• Keep gutters and drainpipes unclogged and clear of debris.
• Turn off utilities as instructed.

Returning to the Office

After the storm passes, your community is going to be in disarray for some time. Local authorities may not permit reentry to the affected areas until they have first made it reasonably safe to return. Flooding and debris may still be in the area, so use caution. Don’t drive through running or standing water. Avoid bridges and roads that are obviously damaged or washed out.

When you do return, remember that your office may have serious damage. Only enter if safe to do so. Check to see that the electric, gas and water services are not damaged. Have licensed professionals check gas, water and electrical lines and appliances for damage. If you find or suspect damaged gas or power lines, call Entergy at 1-800-ENTERGY (368-3749) to report it.

Customers can visit for tips and other information to prepare for severe weather and to get information on the restoration efforts that follow.