Georgia Power prepared for possible severe weather Friday

Rhea-AI Summary

Georgia Power is closely monitoring severe weather expected to impact Georgia on New Year's Day. Heavy rain and saturated soil could lead to downed trees and power outages. The company urges customers to prepare by checking emergency kits and staying informed through their storm resources. Storm safety tips include assessing risks before storms, seeking shelter during storms, and avoiding contact with downed power lines afterward. Georgia Power emphasizes its readiness, backed by investments in Smart Grid technology to enhance service reliability.

Positive

• Investments in Smart Grid technology to improve outage response and reliability.
• Proactive pandemic plans in place to ensure safety for customers and employees.

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• Potential for storm-related outages due to heavy rain and saturated soil.

ATLANTA, Dec. 31, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power is actively monitoring changing weather conditions and the company is offering important safety tips and storm resources as storms are predicted to impact the state New Year's Day.

Due to the potential of heavy rain and saturated soil the storms are likely to bring down trees that could cause outages. Customers are encouraged to use this time to prepare and keep safety in mind.

As severe weather can happen at any time of year, the company offers the following storm tips:   

• Before a Storm:  Know your risks of flooding. Check your emergency kit, unplug major appliances and charge cell phones in case you lose power.
• During a Storm: Take safe shelter inside a sturdy building away from windows and doors. Avoid contact with conductors of electricity - appliances, metal objects and water.
• 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 of power lines yourself or enter areas with debris or downed trees as downed power lines may be buried in wreckage. 

Tools You Can Use to Prepare for Severe Weather Year-round

• @GeorgiaPower on Twitter – Follow @GeorgiaPower on Twitter for storm tips, outage updates and more.
• Outage Alerts – Subscribe to the free Georgia Power Outage Alert service to receive personalized notifications and updates via text message.
• Outage & Storm Center – Available at www.georgiapower.com/storm, customers can visit this site to sign up for Outage Alerts, report and check the status of outages, and access useful safety tips and information. Customers can 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.
• Emergency Plan and Kit – Visit the Georgia Power storm page for information on how to build a family emergency plan and emergency supply kit. 

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.

The company's investments in Smart Grid technology and increased automation in recent years mean an increased ability to more quickly isolate outages to smaller numbers of customers and reroute power remotely for improved reliability. 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 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), Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

 

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SOURCE Georgia Power

FAQ

What is Georgia Power's plan for potential severe weather on January 1?

Georgia Power is monitoring weather conditions closely and has safety tips and resources available for customers.

How can customers prepare for storms according to Georgia Power?

Customers are advised to check emergency kits, unplug major appliances, and charge cell phones.

What should customers do during a storm as advised by Georgia Power?

Seek shelter away from windows and avoid contact with electrical conductors.

What are Georgia Power's safety recommendations after a storm?

Customers should never touch downed power lines or enter areas with debris.

How does Georgia Power ensure reliability during severe weather?

The company uses Smart Grid technology to quickly isolate outages and reroute power.