Hurricane Helene restoration progresses with 250,000+ customers restored; Georgia Power posts estimated restoration times for multiple communities

Rhea-AI Summary

Georgia Power has made significant progress in restoring power to customers affected by Hurricane Helene. As of 7 PM Friday, over 250,000 customers have had their power restored, with approximately 620,000 still impacted. The company has mobilized 14,000+ personnel for the response effort, including support from other power companies.

Damage assessment teams are utilizing drones and other technology to evaluate inaccessible areas. Estimated restoration times (ERTs) have been posted for multiple communities on Georgia Power's Outage Map. The hurricane brought 7+ inches of rain and 80-100 mph winds, causing extensive damage and road closures across the state.

Georgia Power emphasizes safety precautions for customers and continues to provide updates through various channels, including their website, mobile app, and social media platforms. The company's preparation and industry support have been key to their response efforts.

Positive

• Over 250,000 customers have had their power restored since the beginning of the storm
• 14,000+ personnel engaged in response efforts, including support from other power companies
• Estimated restoration times (ERTs) posted for multiple communities
• Utilization of drones and technology for efficient damage assessment
• Proactive mobilization of crews and resources from 35+ companies across multiple states

Negative

• Approximately 620,000 customers still without power as of 7 PM Friday
• Extensive damage and road closures due to 7+ inches of rain and 80-100 mph winds
• Inaccessibility of many areas hampering restoration efforts
• Potential need for customer-side repairs before power can be reconnected in severely damaged areas

Insights

Utility Infrastructure Specialist

Hurricane Helene's impact on Georgia Power's infrastructure is significant, with 620,000 customers still affected as of Friday evening. The company's massive response, involving 14,000+ personnel, surpasses previous major hurricane efforts. This scale of damage and restoration effort will likely have short-term financial implications for Southern Company (SO).

The extensive use of mutual assistance networks, drawing resources from 35 companies across multiple states, demonstrates the severity of the situation and potential for increased operational costs. However, Georgia Power's proactive approach, including pre-positioning resources and utilizing advanced technologies like drones for damage assessment, may help mitigate some financial impacts through more efficient restoration.

Long-term, this event may accelerate discussions about grid resilience investments, potentially leading to future capital expenditures. Investors should monitor regulatory responses and any potential rate case discussions that may arise from this event, as they could impact Southern Company's future earnings and capital allocation strategies.

Financial Analyst

While the article doesn't provide specific financial figures, the scale of Hurricane Helene's impact suggests significant short-term costs for Southern Company (SO). With 620,000 customers still without power and a massive restoration effort underway, we can expect increased operational expenses and potential revenue losses in the near term.

However, regulated utilities like Georgia Power typically have mechanisms to recover storm-related costs, which could mitigate long-term financial impacts. Investors should watch for:

• Potential regulatory filings for cost recovery
• Impact on Q3 and Q4 earnings
• Any changes to capital expenditure plans for grid hardening

The company's preparedness and rapid response may be viewed positively by regulators, potentially smoothing the path for cost recovery. Long-term, this event could support arguments for increased investment in grid resilience, potentially creating opportunities for future rate base growth.

Overall, while negative in the short term, the financial impact on SO may be manageable given the regulatory framework and the company's size ($98.27 billion market cap).

14,000+ personnel engaged in response; additional ERTs to be posted as available

ATLANTA, Sept. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 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. 

Tools You Can Use to Stay Connected & Informed

• Outage Alerts – Customers subscribed to our free Georgia Power Outage Alert service will receive personalized notifications and updates via text message. Check that your contact number is up to date to receive the latest information.
• Outage & Storm Center – Available at www.GeorgiaPower.com/Storm, customers can visit this site to check their contact information is updated to receive 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.
• 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 X (Twitter) – Follow @GeorgiaPower on X for storm tips, outage updates, customer service and more.

Preparation, Industry Support Key to Response
Georgia Power monitored the path of Hurricane Helene for more than a week prior to the storm entering Georgia. As part of its preparations, Georgia Power mobilized additional staff from across the industry to respond to Hurricane Helene. Mobilized crews across the state pre-positioned restoration workers, equipment, and supplies near areas of anticipated impact including extra transformers, poles, cable and other equipment. All this is part of advance planning and strategy to allow the company to restore power more quickly and efficiently for its customers as soon as weather conditions allow. 

Georgia Power is also a member of a nationwide mutual assistance network, which consists of hundreds of utilities from around the country. Georgia Power has proactively mobilized crews from over 35 companies from states as far away as Texas, Oklahoma, Indiana, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The company continues to acquire additional off-system resources to aid in response.

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 2.7 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy, 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), X (X.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

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SOURCE Georgia Power

FAQ

How many customers has Georgia Power restored power to after Hurricane Helene?

Georgia Power has restored power to over 250,000 customers since the beginning of Hurricane Helene.

How many personnel are engaged in Georgia Power's Hurricane Helene response?

Georgia Power has mobilized over 14,000 personnel for the Hurricane Helene response effort, including support from other power companies.

What wind speeds did Hurricane Helene bring to Georgia?

Hurricane Helene brought wind speeds of 80-100 mph to parts of Georgia, causing extensive damage.

How can customers check their estimated power restoration time for Hurricane Helene?

Customers can check their estimated restoration time (ERT) on Georgia Power's Outage Map, available on their website and mobile app.

How is Georgia Power (SO) assessing damage in inaccessible areas after Hurricane Helene?

Georgia Power is using drones and other technology to assess damage in areas that are difficult to access due to Hurricane Helene.