ATLANTA, Ga. (WSAV)—Georgia Power released a statement at 7 p.m. Friday and said that more than 250,000 customers have had power restored, but approximately 620,000 customers remain impacted due to Helene.
Read Georgia Power’s statement below:
“ATLANTA – September 27, 2024 – 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. “
