Besides the extensive power infrastructure that has to be rebuilt, Entergy said there also was “extensive damage” to its natural gas system, affecting service to many of its 147,000 customers in the New Orleans area.

“On Sunday, Entergy Gas Operations sent damage control personnel into Algiers, LA and some other areas of Orleans Parish,” the company said in a statement. “They are planning to send assessment and restoration workers, beginning in Algiers this week, and moving into other areas of the city as they become accessible enough for damage assessment and repairs over the following days and weeks.”

Gas services to many areas of the city, including the French Quarter, have to be shut off before repairs are made. Shutting off the gas service will reduce gas leakage in New Orleans, which has been a public safety issue, the company said.

Entergy also is working to preserve gas flow to the New Orleans Sewage and Water Board to allow power generation for the pumps, which are critical to pump water out of flooded areas of the city.

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