BATON ROUGE – With river levels rising and flooding expected to affect a number of areas with the service territory, Entergy Louisiana reminds customers water and electricity do not mix and encourages them to make preparation and safety a top priority.

If you are not sure whether your home is in an area of potential flood risk, check with your municipality. Maps of predicted flood zones can also be accessed at http:// bit.ly/j1Zbbi.

If your home or business is at risk for electrical service disconnection, you should prepare for the possibility of outages by taking the following steps:

• Have emergency preparedness kits ready, including flashlights, a battery-powered radio with fresh batteries, spare batteries, canned food and a can opener, a supply of fresh water for several days and a first-aid kit.

• If you have generators, read instructions carefully and operate them according to guidelines.

• Stay away from downed power lines and flooded areas. Do not walk in standing water and do not venture into areas of debris, since energized and dangerous power lines may not be visible.

If you are required or choose to evacuate your home or business, take the following steps:

• If the building is dry, turn off the electrical main power switch. Never attempt to disconnect power or operate breakers or switches that are wet or have been exposed to water. Call 1-800-ENTERGY to have this done.

• Move any portable electrical items to an upper floor or to another location that is not at risk of flooding.

• If flooding is expected in your area, and you have time, have a licensed contractor remove hot water tanks, clothes dryers and ranges and cap the gas pipe leading to the appliance shut off valve. Also, have a licensed contractor remove the electric motor and fan, burner and controls from your furnace and shut off the gas and electrical supply.

• Remove all food from refrigerator and leave the door open.

• Turn off and unplug all appliances.

Entergy Louisiana will continue to monitor flooding and provide regular updates to customers. For more information, visit the Entergy Storm Center at entergy-louisiana. com.