Company posts estimated restoration times for additional
communities across the state following the most destructive
hurricane in its history
ATLANTA, Sept. 28,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As of Saturday evening, Georgia
Power has restored power to 520,000+ customers following
the devasting impact of Hurricane Helene. This rapid response
has been possible through the implementation of new "smart grid"
technologies and the quick work of pre-positioned teams who were
ready to respond as soon as conditions were safe to do so on
Friday.
Crews continue to navigate treacherous conditions including
extensive tree damage, persisting flooding conditions and many road
closures. As the first full day of restoration progressed today,
the company determined that Hurricane Helene was the most
destructive hurricane in its history damaging infrastructure across
the state. Additionally, there is the potential for additional
damage and power outages that could occur due to the saturated
ground and weakened trees.
Friday afternoon, just hours after the end of the storm in
Georgia, the company published
estimated restoration times (ERTs) for multiple communities (read
more). On Saturday, as damage assessment activities provided
valuable insight into damage and resources needed, the company
posted new ERTs for additional communities across the state
including Athens, Augusta, Brunswick, Clayton, Cornelia, Dublin, Gainesville, Hartwell, Hinesville, Macon, Madison, Milledgeville, Savannah, Springfield, Statesboro, Thomson, Tifton, Valdosta, Vidalia, Waycross and Waynesboro. ERTs represent the company's
expectation for 95% power restoration in the specified area. As the
company anticipated and announced before the arrival of the storm,
restoration efforts will take multiple days into next week. The
latest ERTs for these areas, and others, are available on the
company's Outage Map.
Georgia Power appreciates the importance of accurate information
for customers as they make plans for their families following this
historic storm. The company is committed to publishing up to date
information throughout the remainder of the restoration process and
will make every effort to return power to customers sooner than
expected. Customers are encouraged to check the Outage Map often
for the latest information and not rely on possibly inaccurate
details they may see from non-company sources.
The company continues to utilize additional 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.
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.
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.
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).
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/georgia-power-restores-power-to-520-000-customers-following-hurricane-helene-302261738.html
SOURCE Georgia Power