Entergy Reports Catastrophic Damage: "Much Worse Than Rita"

(Photo by: Amanda Johnson, Fannett) - Entergy Texas is reporting catastrophic damage to its system in Texas, with nearly all of its 395,000 customers in Texas without power and a spokesman telling customers not to come home because it could take weeks to restore power following a storm that he describes as "worse than Rita" because of its impact on the electric grid.

 Entergy Texas spokesman Mike Rogers tells KFDM News 99 percent of the company's 395,000 customers in Texas are without power.  

15,000 customers still have power, primarily in Navasota.

"Restoration is weeks away," said Rogers.  "Do not come home. You will not have power for weeks."

Rogers says the company has sustained significant damage to its transmission system, with 119 of 187 transmission lines out, and two power plants off line.  The Sabine Power plant was taken off line Friday and a plant in Montgomery County tripped off line Friday night.

"We'll begin assessments when the storm passes, but we can't do so until the wind dies down," said Rogers.