14,000+ personnel engaged in response;
additional ERTs to be posted as available
ATLANTA, Sept. 27,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power's response to
Hurricane Helene continued through the day Friday with teams
working safely and quickly to restore power to more than 250,000
customers since the beginning of the storm. As of 7 PM on Friday, approximately 620,000 customers
remain impacted due to the storm.
The company continues to bring more resources from outside of
its system and currently has 14,000+ personnel engaged in response,
including support from Alabama Power, Mississippi Power and dozens
of other companies. The response force currently engaged is larger
than the company's response to other major hurricanes including
Michael, Irma and Zeta.
Georgia Power teams have worked throughout the day not only
restoring power to customers, but also conducting damage assessment
which is an essential part of efficient restoration and helps the
company identify where resources are best utilized to return power
to customers quickly. Damage assessment teams enter the field and
begin the restoration process as soon as conditions allow. Given
the inaccessibility of many areas, teams are utilizing drones and
other technology to patrol damaged lines. These damage assessment
teams are then followed by repair crews.
Friday evening, teams were continuing this effort and providing
details that allow the company to post estimated restoration times
for customers where possible. Estimated restoration times (ERTs)
are currently available on Georgia Power's Outage Map for multiple
communities including Albany,
Alpharetta, Americus, Atlanta, Austell, Canton, Carrollton, Cartersville, Columbus, Dalton, Jonesboro, Lawrenceville, Newnan, Rome, Smyrna and Tucker.
The company appreciates the importance of accurate information
for customers as they make plans for their families and is
committed to publishing up to date information throughout the
remainder of the storm response. Additional evaluation is occurring
as areas are accessible across southern, coastal and eastern
Georgia, where communities
experienced hurricane force winds leading to extensive damage. New
ERTs will be posted to the company's Outage Map as they are
available.
Hurricane Helene poured more than seven inches of rain
overnight onto communities across the state, which combined with
80-100 mph winds to cause hundreds of road closures statewide and
catastrophic damage to hundreds of structures with the greatest
concentration in the south and east regions of the state. Teams
continue to navigate these challenging conditions to repair damage
and restore service to customers.
As always, the company encourages customers to keep safety
first following Hurricane Helene:
- Watch for Georgia Power crews working across the state.
If driving, move over one lane for utility vehicles stopped on the
side of the road – it's the law in Georgia.
- Watch for downed wires. Downed power lines may be hidden
by debris or fallen trees.
- Never touch any downed wire or attempt to remove tree
branches from power lines – it can kill.
- Don't step in standing water or saturated ground where
downed lines may be present. They could be
electrified.
- Avoid chain link fences. They may be electrified by a
downed line out of sight and conduct electricity over great
distances.
- Never attempt repairs to electric service
connections. Customers should also note that if their
home, including the meter box or mast/connection point, is severely
damaged by the storm repairs may need to be made by an electrician
before Georgia Power can reconnect power.
Tools You Can Use to Stay Connected & Informed
- Outage Alerts – Customers subscribed to our free
Georgia Power Outage Alert service will receive personalized
notifications and updates via text message. Check that your contact
number is up to date to receive the latest information.
- Outage & Storm Center – Available
at www.GeorgiaPower.com/Storm, customers can visit this site
to check their contact information is updated to receive Outage
Alerts, report and check the status of outages, and access useful
safety tips and information. Customers can also report and check
the status of an outage 24 hours a day by contacting Georgia Power
at 888-891-0938.
- Outage Map – Housed within the Outage & Storm
Center, Georgia Power's interactive Outage Map provides near
real-time information, allowing users to see where outages are
occurring across the state and track estimated restoration
times.
- Georgia Power Mobile App – Download the Georgia
Power mobile app for Apple and Android devices
to access storm and outage information on the go.
- @GeorgiaPower on X (Twitter) – Follow @GeorgiaPower
on X for storm tips, outage updates, customer service and
more.
Preparation, Industry Support Key to Response
Georgia
Power monitored the path of Hurricane Helene for more than a week
prior to the storm entering Georgia. As part of its preparations, Georgia
Power mobilized additional staff from across the industry to
respond to Hurricane Helene. Mobilized crews across the state
pre-positioned restoration workers, equipment, and supplies near
areas of anticipated impact including extra transformers, poles,
cable and other equipment. All this is part of advance planning and
strategy to allow the company to restore power more quickly and
efficiently for its customers as soon as weather conditions
allow.
Georgia Power is also a member of a nationwide mutual assistance
network, which consists of hundreds of utilities from around the
country. Georgia Power has proactively mobilized crews from
over 35 companies from states as far away as Texas, Oklahoma, Indiana, Pennsylvania and New
Jersey. The company continues to acquire additional
off-system resources to aid in response.
About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest
electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's
premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and
Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.7
million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to
delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy, Georgia
Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes
nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar,
hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering
world-class service to its customers every day and the company is
recognized by J.D. Power as an industry leader in customer
satisfaction. For more information, visit
www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook
(Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), X (X.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram
(Instagram.com/ga_power).
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SOURCE Georgia Power