We Are Here for Georgia. We Are Here for You. An Open Letter to Our Communities Following the Destruction of Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene has caused unprecedented devastation in Georgia, becoming the most destructive hurricane in Georgia Power's 140-year history, surpassing the combined damage of hurricanes Michael, Matthew, and Irma. The storm damaged over 8,300 power poles, 350 transmission structures, 1,000 miles of power lines, and 4,500 transformers. Georgia Power mobilized more than 20,000 personnel for restoration efforts, successfully restoring power to over 1.5 million customers. The company is working with state leaders, agencies, and local authorities in the rebuilding process, while implementing customer support measures including suspended disconnections and waived late fees.
L'uragano Helene ha causato una devastazione senza precedenti in Georgia, diventando l'uragano più distruttivo nella storia di Georgia Power, lunga 140 anni, superando i danni combinati degli uragani Michael, Matthew e Irma. La tempesta ha danneggiato oltre 8.300 pali della luce, 350 strutture di trasmissione, 1.000 miglia di linee elettriche e 4.500 trasformatori. Georgia Power ha mobilitato oltre 20.000 persone per gli sforzi di ripristino, ripristinando con successo l'elettricità per oltre 1,5 milioni di clienti. L'azienda sta collaborando con i leader statali, le agenzie e le autorità locali nel processo di ricostruzione, implementando misure di supporto per i clienti, tra cui la sospensione delle disconnessioni e l'annullamento delle commissioni di ritardo.
El huracán Helene ha causado una devastación sin precedentes en Georgia, convirtiéndose en el huracán más destructivo en la historia de Georgia Power, que abarca 140 años, superando los daños combinados de los huracanes Michael, Matthew e Irma. La tormenta dañó más de 8,300 postes de energía, 350 estructuras de transmisión, 1,000 millas de líneas eléctricas y 4,500 transformadores. Georgia Power movilizó a más de 20,000 empleados para los esfuerzos de restauración, restableciendo con éxito la energía a más de 1.5 millones de clientes. La empresa está trabajando con líderes estatales, agencias y autoridades locales en el proceso de reconstrucción, mientras implementa medidas de apoyo al cliente, que incluyen la suspensión de desconexiones y la exención de cargos por demora.
허리케인 헬렌은 조지아에서 전례 없는 파괴를 일으켜 조지아 파워의 140년 역사에서 가장 파괴적인 허리케인이 되었으며, 허리케인 마이클, 매튜, 이르마의 결합된 피해를 초월했습니다. 이 폭풍은 8,300개 이상의 전신주, 350개의 송전 구조물, 1,000마일의 전선 및 4,500개의 변압기를 파손했습니다. 조지아 파워는 복구 작업을 위해 20,000명 이상의 인원을 동원하여 150만 고객이 넘는 가정에 전기를 성공적으로 복구했습니다. 이 회사는 재건 과정에서 주 정부 고위 관계자, 기관 및 지방 당국과 협력하고 있으며, 고객 지원 조치로는 전기 끊김 일시 중지 및 연체료 면제를 포함하고 있습니다.
L'ouragan Helene a causé des destructions sans précédent en Géorgie, devenant l'ouragan le plus destructeur dans l'histoire de Georgia Power qui dure depuis 140 ans, dépassant les dommages combinés des ouragans Michael, Matthew et Irma. La tempête a endommagé plus de 8 300 poteaux électriques, 350 infrastructures de transmission, 1 000 milles de lignes électriques et 4 500 transformateurs. Georgia Power a mobilisé plus de 20 000 personnes pour les efforts de restauration, réussissant à rétablir l'électricité pour plus de 1,5 million de clients. L'entreprise travaille avec les dirigeants de l'État, les agences et les autorités locales dans le processus de reconstruction, tout en mettant en œuvre des mesures de soutien aux clients, notamment la suspension des déconnexions et l'annulation des frais de retard.
Der Hurrikan Helene hat in Georgia unprecedented Verwüstungen angerichtet und ist der zerstörerischste Hurrikan in der 140-jährigen Geschichte von Georgia Power, der die Gesamtschäden der Hurrikane Michael, Matthew und Irma übertrifft. Der Sturm beschädigte über 8.300 Strommasten, 350 Übertragungsanlagen, 1.000 Meilen Stromleitungen und 4.500 Transformatoren. Georgia Power mobilisierte mehr als 20.000 Mitarbeiter für die Wiederherstellungsmaßnahmen und stellte erfolgreich die Stromversorgung für über 1,5 Millionen Kunden wieder her. Das Unternehmen arbeitet mit Staatsführern, Behörden und lokalen Behörden am Wiederaufbau und setzt gleichzeitig Unterstützungsmaßnahmen für Kunden wie ausgesetzte Stromabschaltungen und erlassene verspätete Gebühren um.
- Successfully restored power to over 1.5 million customers
- Mobilized 20,000 personnel for restoration efforts
- Implemented customer support measures (suspended disconnections, waived late fees)
- Most destructive hurricane in company's 140-year history
- Extensive infrastructure damage requiring complete rebuilding of power grid sections
- Damaged over 8,300 power poles, 350 transmission structures, and 4,500 transformers
- Extended reconstruction period required beyond initial restoration
Insights
This open letter, while emotionally compelling, does not contain material financial information that would significantly impact Southern Company's (SO) stock performance or investor decisions. While Hurricane Helene caused unprecedented infrastructure damage requiring substantial repairs, the letter doesn't disclose specific financial impacts, restoration costs, or insurance coverage details that would help investors assess the financial implications. Key infrastructure damage includes:
- 8,300+ damaged power poles
- 350 transmission structures
- 1,000+ miles of downed power lines
- 4,500+ damaged transformers
Utility companies typically maintain strong insurance coverage and can recover storm-related costs through regulatory rate adjustments. Without specific financial figures or guidance updates, this communication serves more as a public relations message than market-moving news.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / October 30, 2024 / Southern Company:
By Kim Greene Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer at Georgia Power
I can't recall a time in my career, or maybe my life, when I've seen anything like Hurricane Helene. It's impossible to believe unless you've seen it up close, and even then, it is difficult to describe - pictures simply don't do it justice. I visited some of the hardest-hit areas in Georgia in the days following the storm, and what I saw broke my heart.
The destruction was never-ending in places, it just continued for miles and miles. And it's even more sobering when I stop to think that some of our very own teammates - many working to restore power themselves - were facing devastating damage to their own homes, cutting their way through fallen trees (and some even walking for miles) to get to work, and waiting for power to be restored for their families.
When I saw the devastation in Augusta, Savannah, Valdosta and Vidalia - and many other areas in between - it quickly became clear to me that this was no ordinary storm. In fact, Helene was the most destructive hurricane in our company's 140-year history, exceeding the damage caused by hurricanes Michael, Matthew and Irma combined.
Thankfully, we have a world-class team that ensured Georgia Power was ready to respond. We monitored Helene's progress from the moment it formed and put plans into place for what we expected to be an extended restoration process. We pre-positioned more than 10,000 personnel around the state who were ready to get to work as soon as the storm passed and it was safe. As damage assessment reports came in from across the state, we ultimately doubled the number of personnel engaged to more than 20,000 with crews coming from across the country.
Usually after a major storm, we talk about our work in terms of restoration. For Helene, we're talking about rebuilding sections of the power grid entirely. Helene damaged more than 8,300 power poles and almost 350 transmission structures, downed more than 1,000 miles of power lines, damaged more than 4,500 transformers and toppled thousands of trees that had to be removed before power could be restored. This was a major restoration and reconnection project that had to be completed as quickly as possible. Fortunately, our team is the best in the business, and we were able to restore power to more than 1.5 million customers safely and efficiently. However, we know full reconstruction will be a much longer process.
This was a historic storm that required an unprecedented response and coordination from so many other teams across Georgia. State leaders including Gov. Brian Kemp, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and other state agencies, members of the Georgia Public Service Commission, as well as members of the Georgia legislature and its leadership, alongside local county commissioners, mayors, first responders, law enforcement and countless others, were all on the ground with us and continue to be incredible partners as we rebuild our infrastructure.
As so many of our customers and neighbors try and return to some semblance of "normal," Georgia Power will be here to help. From working directly with customers to suspend disconnections and waive late fees, to quickly getting funding directly to local organizations serving our state's most impacted communities, we're committed to being "A Citizen Wherever We Serve."
While I felt disbelief at the devastation I saw, I am inspired by the kindness, resilience and fighting spirit exhibited by our employees and neighbors. From handwritten cards and signs with words of encouragement for lineworkers posted at the areas around our staging sites, to communities coming together to share essential resources like food and water, to local leaders going above and beyond to coordinate aid, the worst of Helene brought out the best in us.
For your kindness, compassion and patience, thank you to our Georgia Power customers, communities, employees and partners. More than ever, I am proud to be a Georgian, proud to be a part of this team and grateful to be a part of this community.
Our road to recovery may be long, but we are here for Georgia, and we are here for you!
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SOURCE: Southern Company
View the original press release on accesswire.com
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