(MENAFNEditorial) ATLANTA, Sept. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --With Hurricane Irma expected to bring heavy rains and high winds to Georgia in the coming days, Georgia Power continues to monitor the changing weather around the clock and mobilize crews. The company is prepared to respond to this storm as quickly and safely as possible with additional resources available as part of the Southern Company system, which includes multiple electric and gas companies serving more than 9 million customers.
On Thursday afternoon, Governor Nathan Deal issued a mandatory evacuation order for all areas east of I-95 and other parts of Georgia's coast. Georgia Power wants to assure customers that it is not the company's procedure to disconnect power as part of mandatory evacuations.
Georgia Power also reminds customers to keep safety first during severe weather and offers the following tips for Georgians evacuating prior to Hurricane Irma.
Develop a plan for your family. The plan should include the destination of travel, alternate routes, gas stations and a re-unification plan if family members become separated as well as a list of critical information such as utility accounts and insurance documents. Prepare and carry an emergency supply kit with critical supplies. Supplies may include a car charger for cell phones or other electronics, a flashlight, battery operated radio and non-electric clock – for a complete list of additional items, visit the Georgia Power . Unplug electronics in your home and place them on sturdy surfaces or relocate them to the highest floor. Turn your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest settings and pack your freezer with as many food items as possible. If electrical service is interrupted, a packed freezer can keep food frozen for up to 48 hours. When travelling before or after a storm, be aware of electrical crews working or the potential for down power lines or power poles. Tools You Can Use
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 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 and devices to access storm and outage information on the go. @GeorgiaPower on Twitter – Follow @GeorgiaPower on for storm tips, outage updates, customer service and more. The Mutual Assistance Network
Georgia Power is part of a national mutual assistance network consisting of dozens of utilities from around the country. As part of this partnership, Georgia Power line crews provide assistance to other utilities when service to their customers is interrupted due to severe weather and have travelled as far away as New York to assist with restoration following Superstorm Sandy and New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Georgia Power is also able to tap into reinforcements when needed to restore power quickly to Georgia customers. The company is holding all Georgia Power resources in Georgia in advance of Hurricane Irma and is in touch with other mutual assistance network utilities to ensure coordination and access to additional resources if needed following the storm.
Just last year, Hurricane Matthew, one of the strongest, most destructive hurricanes to hit the Georgia coast in more than a century, broke or damaged approximately 1,000 power poles and more than 3,500 trees brought down nearly 120 miles of wire along the Georgia coast. Georgia Power restored power to more than 338,000 customers impacted by Hurricane Matthew quickly and safely by fully deploying company resources and leveraging the mutual assistance network in the week following the storm.
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 2.5 million customers in all but four ofGeorgia's159 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, 21st century 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, visitand connect with the company on Facebook (), Twitter () and Instagram ().
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