Georgia Power crews ready to respond to Hurricane Laura

Rhea-AI Summary

Georgia Power is actively preparing to assist utilities affected by Hurricane Laura as the storm approaches the Gulf Coast. The company is coordinating with a network of utilities for mutual aid, ensuring a rapid restoration of power. Customers are reminded of safety measures during the hurricane season and are encouraged to utilize resources such as the Outage Map and the Georgia Power mobile app for real-time updates. The company is also implementing pandemic precautions to protect its workforce while maintaining service reliability.

Positive

• Georgia Power is part of a mutual assistance network, enabling rapid response to storm impacts.
• The company provides various tools like the Outage Map and mobile app for customer convenience.
• Recognition for superior customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates.

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• None.

ATLANTA, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As Hurricane Laura continues to move near the Gulf Coast, Georgia Power is ready to respond to requests for assistance from utilities who may be impacted by the storm. Georgia Power continues monitoring the changing weather around the clock and coordinates with other utilities to field requests for assistance through the mutual assistance network.

The network consists of hundreds of utilities from around the country. As part of this partnership, Georgia Power is able to respond and offer assistance, providing reinforcements when needed to restore power quickly for other utilities. The company is also able to tap into this mutual assistance network if additional resources are needed to help restore power to Georgia Power customers following a major storm.

Hurricane season continues through November
With the official hurricane season continuing through November 30, Georgia Power reminds customers to keep safety first and offers the following storm preparedness tips: 

• Before a Storm: Know your risks of storm surge and tropical storm or hurricane strength winds. Check your emergency kit, unplug major appliances and charge cell phones in case you lose power.
• During a Storm: Have several ways to receive emergency notifications and weather updates. If your area is under an evacuation order, follow safety orders from local officials immediately.
• After a Storm: Never touch any downed or low-hanging wire, including telephone or TV wires that touch a power line. Never pull tree limbs off power lines or enter areas with debris or downed trees as downed power lines may be buried in wreckage. Additionally, do not walk or drive through standing water as it may conceal live wires brought down by the storm.

Before severe weather strikes, customers are encouraged to become familiar with Georgia Power's Outage Map on www.georgiapower.com that makes tracking and reporting outage information on the go even easier. The Outage Map automatically adjusts to function on any desktop, handheld or mobile device and has direct access to Georgia Power's social media channels for quick engagement with customer service representatives. Additionally, users have greater search capabilities with concise alert information relating to their specific outage.

Additional Georgia Power Tools You Can Use

• Outage Alerts: Subscribe to the free Georgia Power Outage Alert service to receive personalized notifications and updates via text message.
• Outage & Storm Center: At www.georgiapower.com/storm, customers can sign up for 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.
• 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 Twitter: Follow @GeorgiaPower on Twitter for storm tips, outage updates, customer service and more.

Storm Response Pandemic Preparations
Georgia Power constantly monitors changing weather conditions and is prepared to respond to service interruptions that might occur because of severe weather while taking proactive actions including special "distancing" and other precautions to help protect customers and employees from the spread of the virus.

In addition, the company's comprehensive pandemic plans help ensure readiness of the critical personnel and facilities necessary to continue providing the safe and reliable energy customers expect and deserve.

In the field, the power restoration process includes these key steps:

• Assessing Conditions – Responding crews – or in major storms, damage assessment teams – work to identify trouble spots and the resources needed to fix them, which could involve coming onto customers' property. Crews will employ appropriate distancing efforts and customers are asked to keep children and pets indoors and maintain safe distances from crew members as well.
• Making Repairs – Georgia Power crews focus on repairs that return power to the greatest number of customers in the least amount of time.

Ways you can help keep workers safe while they work in the field:

• If you see utility crews, please stay back a minimum of six feet – much more if they are working.
• Please, no cookies or treats for workers during this time. Give a wave or thumbs up to workers you see. They'll understand your gratitude as they work to keep the lights on.
• Don't touch utility trucks or equipment. Electric providers are operating under modified conditions to keep workers safe, which includes additional cleaning and sanitation of tools and equipment.

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 2.6 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates below the national average, 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 consistently recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

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SOURCE Georgia Power

FAQ

What is Georgia Power's response to Hurricane Laura?

Georgia Power is prepared to assist impacted utilities through a mutual aid network and is monitoring weather conditions.

How can Georgia Power customers prepare for Hurricane Laura?

Customers are advised to check emergency kits, stay updated on weather conditions, and follow safety guidelines.

What tools does Georgia Power offer for outage reporting?

Georgia Power offers an Outage Map and a mobile app for real-time outage information and alerts.

What safety precautions is Georgia Power taking during the pandemic?

The company is implementing social distancing measures and other precautions to protect customers and employees during storm responses.

How does Georgia Power ensure customer service during storms?

Georgia Power provides resources like Outage Alerts and a dedicated storm response team to maintain service reliability.