Helene marks most destructive
hurricane in company's history; restoration efforts fully underway
with ~690,000 customers restored
ATLANTA, Sept. 29,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power's restoration
efforts following Hurricane Helene continued Sunday, with the
company having restored service to approximately 690,000 customers
since the start of the storm. 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 and flooding damage, as well as road closures. As of
midday Sunday, efforts are fully underway to restore power to
approximately 425,000 customers who remain without power due to the
storm. Additionally, there is the potential for further damage and
power outages that could occur due to the saturated ground and
weakened trees.
Georgia Power has determined Hurricane Helene was the most
destructive hurricane in its history damaging infrastructure across
the state. Initial damage estimates illustrating the extensive
destruction of Hurricane Helene include:
- 5,000+ power poles that must be repaired or
replaced
- 9,000+ spans of wire equivalent to an estimated 425
miles
- 500+ transformers
- 1,500+ trees on power lines that must be removed
or addressed to restore power
Georgia Power appreciates the importance of accurate information
for customers as they make plans for their families following this
historic storm. As the company anticipated and announced before the
arrival of the storm, restoration efforts will take multiple days
into this next week. Georgia Power continues to post updated
estimated restoration times (ERTs) for communities on its Outage
Map. As of Sunday, restoration efforts have been largely completed
in areas such as Metro Atlanta, Columbus, Macon, Rome and Albany, while work continues in the hardest
hit areas across the state.
The company will continue to post updated 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 more than 15,000 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).
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SOURCE Georgia Power