Francine downgrades to Tropical Depression as it makes it’s way through the state

VICKSBURG, MS. –  Entergy Mississippi crews are working to restore power for approximately 11,000 customers across the state as Hurricane Francine, which has since been downgraded to a tropical depression, passes through central Mississippi.

Several trees have been reported down across the county. Currently, the Entergy Outage Map shows over 100 homes without power as of 9 a.m.

Several roads are closed in coastal and central counties due to flooding. The state of Mississippi remains in contact with local emergency managers, and damage assessments will begin this morning.

Hurricane Francine made landfall Wednesday at 5 p.m. on Wednesday as a Category 2 Hurricane.

The hurricane’s outer bands of rain began hitting Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and other areas in southern Louisiana Wednesday morning. In the gulf, an oil platform north of the storm’s center reported a peak gust of 105 mph, the NHC said.

Power outages in Louisiana climbed rapidly to nearly 64,000. Hardest hit by the blackouts was Terrebonne Parish near where the storm’s center hit land, as well as neighboring St. Mary Parish that includes Morgan City.

Entergy Mississippi’s crews, along with additional contract crews, are engaged in assessing and restoring power as quickly and safely as possible. Right after a storm passes, and when it’s safe to do so, crews assess damage to electric equipment and facilities to determine what corrective actions and repairs are needed.