In the wake of a severe storm system that barreled through the state over the weekend, Georgia Power has reportedly restored electricity to nearly 170,000 customers as of yesterday afternoon. The storm, which brought with it a tumultuous blend of high winds, lightning, and falling trees, led to widespread outages from the mountains down to the coast, Union City GA News reports.
Despite the destructive force of the storm, Georgia Power's swift restoration efforts were bolstered by what the company describes as "smart grid" technology, allowing for remote fixes and alleviating some customers' disruptions even as the weather system persisted, however 36,000 users remain without power, with more than 5,400 of those in the South Fulton area. The company emphasized its state of readiness throughout the weekend, its teams standing by to tackle the restoration work necessary once the storm had passed.
The damage wrought by the storm was significant, as Georgia Power's initial assessments counted roughly 110 broken or damaged poles, some 300 spans of downed wire, and dozens of compromised transformers – the details of which were shared by Union City GA News. As of the latest update, about 1,300 individual issues remain to be addressed by the crews, which includes blown fuses and other protective devices, hindered further still by lingering windy conditions that continue to buffet the region. Workers have been tasked with clearing away the debris and repairing the damage to restore normalcy to those affected by the storm.
With safety as a top priority, Georgia Power has urged the public to steer clear of downed power lines, to be cautious of water-logged areas that may be electrified, and to respect the presence of utility workers as they continue their efforts aid in a full recovery of services. Additionally, for those depending on alternate power, the importance of properly handling portable generators is crucial, avoiding indoor use and heeding the manufacturer's safety guidelines, while also recommending customers to protect their home electronics by unplugging or switching off devices to prevent overload once electric service resumes. More information and tips, along with outage updates, can be found on the Georgia Power website or by using their mobile app.
For continuing updates on power restorations and safety measures, customers can subscribe to Georgia Power's free Outage Alert service, follow the company on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, and visit the Outage & Storm Center, which houses an interactive map showcasing real-time outages and estimated restoration times across the state according to Union City GA News.
