Georgia Power prepares for Hurricane Sally

Rhea-AI Summary

Georgia Power is actively monitoring Hurricane Sally as it approaches Georgia, coordinating with emergency partners. Customers are advised to prioritize safety and prepare with emergency kits. The company offers resources such as an Outage Alert service and an interactive Outage Map for real-time updates on power outages. With a commitment to reliability, Georgia Power leverages Smart Grid technology and has implemented pandemic response measures to ensure customer and employee safety during service interruptions. Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO).

Positive

• Investments in Smart Grid technology enhance outage management capabilities.
• The company's extensive mutual assistance network improves storm response efficiency.
• Proactive pandemic measures ensure safety for customers and employees.

Negative

• None.

ATLANTA, Sept. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As Hurricane Sally tracks through the Gulf of Mexico, with forecasts of an eastward turn toward Georgia after landfall, Georgia Power is actively monitoring the storm, adjusting plans for response and coordinating with emergency partners.

Georgia Power reminds customers to keep safety first during hurricane season and offers the following storm tips:   

• Before a Storm:  Know your risks of flooding or 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: 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, downed trees or standing water as downed power lines may be buried in wreckage or submerged in water or mud. 

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

• 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.
• @GeorgiaPower on Twitter – Follow @GeorgiaPower on Twitter for storm tips, outage updates, customer service and more.
• Emergency Plan and Kit – Visit the Georgia Power storm page for information on how to build a family emergency plan and emergency supply kit. 

Mutual Assistance Network
Georgia Power continues monitoring the changing weather around the clock and coordinates with other utilities 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 request additional resources to help restore power to Georgia Power customers following a major storm.

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 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 doing in response to Hurricane Sally?

Georgia Power is monitoring Hurricane Sally, adjusting response plans, and coordinating with emergency partners.

How can Georgia Power customers prepare for Hurricane Sally?

Customers should maintain emergency kits and stay informed through the Georgia Power Outage Alert service.

What resources does Georgia Power offer for outage updates?

Georgia Power provides an interactive Outage Map and a 24-hour customer service line for outage reporting.

What technology does Georgia Power use to manage power outages?

Georgia Power utilizes Smart Grid technology to quickly isolate outages and reroute power.

How does Georgia Power ensure safety during the pandemic?

Georgia Power has implemented special distancing measures and protocols to protect customers and employees during storms.