Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E) crews assisting with restoration efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida has returned home. A 270- member team of line workers, contractors, vegetation management personnel and support staff arrived back to their Oklahoma and Arkansas homes late Monday after making considerable progress the past two weeks in Jackson Parish, La.

The crews were deployed in late August at Louisiana utility Entergy’s request after Hurricane Ida left approximately 950,000 total customers without power. The team replaced 110 poles including significant repairs to damaged infrastructures such as traffic lights in their designated community.

With the news from Entergy System that nearly 90% of customer power had been restored, OG&E’s crews completed repairs on their assigned circuits and returned home. Over the past 16 days, the OG&E teams drove nearly 200,000 miles during their 16-hour workdays.

“We appreciate the opportunity to serve our neighbors in Louisiana and help restore power that is vital for many people affected by Hurricane Ida,” said Chad Guthrie, Manager of Distribution Construction with OG&E. “Our team has worked tirelessly to restore power in challenging conditions as quickly and safely as possible the past two weeks. Our priority is for our linemen to return to their families safely. We are pleased to share we made it home without injury.”

OG&E provided its assistance to Entergy through its membership in the Midwest Mutual Assistance and Southeast Electrical Exchange.