Louisiana utility says Hurricane Laura repair costs at $1.4B

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A Louisiana utility says the cost to restore electricity and repair power lines damaged in the state during Hurricane Laura is now up to $1.4 billion.

Entergy Corp. said Tuesday that power has been restored to almost all of their customers who were left without electricity when storm surge and winds of up to 150 mph downed more than 14,000 lines and ravaged homes and businesses across the state’s southwestern coast.

The New Orleans-based utility serves many of the areas affected by the Aug. 27 storm.

The Advocate reported that it isn’t immediately clear how much of the repair costs will be covered by the federal government.