Power restored to 90%+ of Georgia Power customers impacted by Hurricane Helene
Georgia Power has restored power to over 1.2 million customers, representing more than 90% of those impacted by Hurricane Helene, the most destructive storm in the company's history. The company expects to reach 95% total restoration by Saturday. More than 20,000 personnel are engaged in the response, with efforts intensifying in the hardest-hit areas.
Key damage statistics include:
- 8,300+ power poles to be repaired or replaced
- 21,000+ spans of wire damaged (approx. 1,000 miles)
- 1,600+ transformers damaged
- 3,200+ trees on power lines to be addressed
Georgia Power ha ripristinato l'elettricità a oltre 1,2 milioni di clienti, che rappresentano più del 90% di coloro che sono stati colpiti dall'uragano Helene, la tempesta più distruttiva nella storia dell'azienda. L'azienda si aspetta di raggiungere il 95% di ripristino totale entro sabato. Oltre 20.000 persone sono coinvolte nella risposta, con sforzi intensificati nelle aree più colpite.
Le principali statistiche sui danni includono:
- 8.300+ pali elettrici da riparare o sostituire
- 21.000+ tratti di cavi danneggiati (circa 1.000 miglia)
- 1.600+ trasformatori danneggiati
- 3.200+ alberi sui cavi elettrici da affrontare
Georgia Power ha restaurado la electricidad para más de 1,2 millones de clientes, lo que representa más del 90% de los afectados por el huracán Helene, la tormenta más destructiva en la historia de la empresa. La compañía espera alcanzar un 95% de restauración total para el sábado. Más de 20,000 personas están involucradas en la respuesta, con esfuerzos intensificándose en las áreas más golpeadas.
Las principales estadísticas de daños incluyen:
- 8,300+ postes eléctricos a reparar o reemplazar
- 21,000+ tramos de cable dañados (aprox. 1,000 millas)
- 1,600+ transformadores dañados
- 3,200+ árboles en las líneas eléctricas que se deben abordar
Georgia Power는 120만 고객에게 전력을 복구했습니다, 이는 허리케인 헬렌의 영향을 받은 고객의 90% 이상을 차지합니다. 이 회사는 토요일까지 95%의 전체 복구를 예상합니다. 20,000명 이상의 직원이 대응에 참여하고 있으며, 가장 피해가 심한 지역에서의 노력이 강화되고 있습니다.
주요 피해 통계는 다음과 같습니다:
- 8,300개 이상의 전신주 수리 또는 교체
- 21,000개 이상의 손상된 전선 구간(약 1,000마일)
- 1,600개 이상의 손상된 변압기
- 3,200개 이상의 전선에 걸쳐 있는 나무 처리 예정
Georgia Power a restauré l'électricité pour plus de 1,2 million de clients, représentant plus de 90 % des personnes touchées par l'ouragan Helene, la tempête la plus destructrice de l'histoire de l'entreprise. La société s'attend à atteindre 95 % de restauration totale d'ici samedi. Plus de 20 000 personnes sont impliquées dans la réponse, les efforts s'intensifiant dans les zones les plus touchées.
Les principales statistiques sur les dommages comprennent :
- 8 300+ poteaux électriques à réparer ou remplacer
- 21 000+ portions de fils endommagées (environ 1 000 milles)
- 1 600+ transformateurs endommagés
- 3 200+ arbres sur les lignes électriques à traiter
Georgia Power hat die Stromversorgung für über 1,2 Millionen Kunden wiederhergestellt, was mehr als 90% der von Hurrikan Helene, dem zerstörerischsten Sturm in der Geschichte des Unternehmens, betroffenen Personen entspricht. Das Unternehmen erwartet, bis Samstag eine Gesamtwiederherstellung von 95% zu erreichen. Über 20.000 Mitarbeiter sind an der Reaktion beteiligt, wobei die Bemühungen in den am stärksten betroffenen Gebieten intensiviert werden.
Wichtige Schadensstatistiken umfassen:
- Über 8.300 Strommasten müssen repariert oder ersetzt werden
- Über 21.000 beschädigte Drahtabschnitte (ca. 1.000 Meilen)
- Über 1.600 beschädigte Transformatoren
- Über 3.200 Bäume an Stromleitungen, die angegangen werden müssen
- Restored power to over 1.2 million customers (90%+ of those affected)
- Expects to reach 95% total restoration by Saturday
- Implemented new smart grid technologies for faster response
- Mobilized over 20,000 personnel for restoration efforts
- Utilized additional resources from other states and Canada
- Most destructive hurricane in company's history
- Extensive damage to infrastructure requiring rebuilding of parts of the grid
- Augusta area still heavily impacted with only 65% of customers reconnected
- Restoration efforts taking multiple days in many areas due to extensive damage
Insights
Georgia Power's rapid response to Hurricane Helene demonstrates impressive operational efficiency. Restoring power to over 90% of 1.2 million affected customers within days of the most destructive hurricane in company history is a significant achievement. The implementation of "smart grid" technologies and pre-positioned teams likely contributed to this quick recovery.
The scale of damage is substantial, with 8,300+ power poles, 21,000+ spans of wire and 1,600+ transformers requiring repair or replacement. This level of infrastructure damage could have long-term implications for Georgia Power's capital expenditure plans and potentially impact future rate cases.
The company's ability to mobilize over 20,000 personnel, including resources from other states and Canada, showcases strong industry relationships and effective disaster response planning. This large-scale mobilization, while necessary, will likely result in higher-than-normal operating expenses for the quarter.
Investors should note that while the rapid restoration is positive for customer relations and regulatory standing, the financial impact of the hurricane will be significant. Expect to see increased costs in the next earnings report, potentially offset by regulatory mechanisms for storm cost recovery.
Georgia Power's response to Hurricane Helene offers insights into the resilience and adaptability of utility companies facing extreme weather events. The company's ability to restore power to 90% of affected customers rapidly is commendable and likely to be viewed favorably by regulators.
The extensive damage reported, including 1,000 miles of wire and 3,200+ trees on power lines, underscores the increasing challenges utilities face due to climate change. This event may accelerate discussions about grid hardening investments and could support Georgia Power's case for future infrastructure upgrade proposals.
The company's use of advanced technologies like the smart grid and digital outage management systems demonstrates a commitment to modernization. These investments are proving their worth in crisis response and could justify further technology spending.
From a financial perspective, while the immediate costs will be substantial, Georgia Power's parent company, Southern Company (NYSE: SO), is well-positioned to absorb this impact. The company's membership in mutual assistance networks also highlights the industry's collaborative approach to disaster response, which can help manage costs and improve restoration times.
1.2 million+ customers reconnected following most destructive storm in company's history;
Intense restoration in hardest-hit areas underway with personnel working around the clock
More than 20,000 personnel remain engaged in the company's response. Rapid response to Hurricane Helene has been possible through the implementation of new "smart grid" technologies and the quick work of pre-positioned teams who were ready to respond as soon as conditions were safe to do so. Over the last few days, efforts have further intensified to repair damage and restore service in the hardest hit areas with crews converging on communities across coastal, eastern and southern
Crews continue to work their way through the power system efficiently and effectively to repair extreme damage and restore power to the most customers with every repair made. In many cases, the damage to infrastructure is so severe that teams are essentially rebuilding parts of the grid and not just repairing specific elements. While damage and treacherous conditions remain, teams are working around the clock and will remain in the field until every customer who can accept power is restored.
As of midday Thursday, the company has restored power to 95 percent of impacted customers in the
Updated damage estimates illustrating the extensive destruction of Hurricane Helene include:
- 8,300+ power poles that must be repaired or replaced
- 21,000+ spans of wire damaged equivalent to approximately 1,000 miles
- 1,600+ transformers damaged
- 3,200+ trees on power lines that must be removed or addressed to restore power
Restoration Status Being Regularly Updated
Georgia Power appreciates the importance of accurate information for customers as they make plans for their families following this historic hurricane. As the company anticipated and announced before the arrival of the storm, restoration efforts are taking multiple days in many areas due to the extensive damage from Helene. Georgia Power continues to post updated estimated restoration times (ERTs) for communities on its Outage Map.
The company will continue to post updated information throughout the remainder of the restoration process and will make every effort to return power to customers sooner than expected. However, as new damage in previously inaccessible areas becomes apparent, restoration efforts may take longer than originally estimated. Customers are encouraged to check the Outage Map often for the latest information and not rely on possibly inaccurate details they may see from non-company sources.
Preparation, Industry Support Key to Response
Georgia Power monitored the path of Hurricane Helene for more than a week prior to Hurricane Helene entering
The company continues to utilize additional resources from outside of its system 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 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 dozens of companies from states including
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 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.
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
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SOURCE Georgia Power
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