Coast, Pine Belt crews team up on storm restoration efforts

UPDATE: At 3 p.m., about 570 customers remained without service but it was estimated that all power would be restored by 5 p.m.

A spring deluge, combined with high winds and vivid lightning, created major flooding problems and widespread power outages across three coastal counties Thursday morning.

By mid-morning, approximately 4,500 residents were without power, with most outages occurring in the Gulfport-Biloxi area.

“We’ve had a little bit of everything,” said Coast Division Engineering Supervisor Joe Cole. “Outside of a hurricane, this has been a pretty major event.”

Thanks to safe and efficient work from Coast line crews with assistance from Pine Belt crews, the outage number was down to 1,130 by 2 p.m.

Crews are continuing to restore power as long as it’s safe to do so.

Between five to 10 inches of rain has fallen in several areas on the Coast according to the New Orleans National Weather Service office.