Georgians are dealing with the aftermath of Winter Storm Fern, which has brought ongoing rain, icy conditions, strong winds, and the threat of tornadoes to various regions in the state. Georgia Power reports that it has restored electricity to about 70,000 customers since the storm began. The restoration effort involves 10,000 personnel from Georgia Power, contract companies, and partner utilities.
Teams remain active as weather conditions change. Additional outages have occurred today due to persistent severe weather related to the storm.
Georgia Power advises residents to stay cautious after the storm and follow guidance from local, state, and federal emergency authorities. The company issued several safety reminders:
“Watch for downed wires. Downed power lines may be hidden by debris or fallen trees.”
“Take care if using a portable generator. Follow all manufacturers’ instructions, avoid using generators in enclosed spaces and be mindful of electrical safety. Click here for more safety tips.”
“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.”
“Watch for Georgia Power crews working across the state. Follow the guidance of state officials and the Georgia Department of Transportation on current road conditions and travel guidance. In the days following Winter Storm Fern, move over lane for utility vehicles stopped on the side of the road – it’s the law in Georgia.”
The company also warns that severe cold will persist through this week with temperatures expected to stay well below freezing for several days. Customers are encouraged to stay alert to changing weather conditions and review available tips from Georgia Power on how to reduce energy use during cold spells.
Georgia Power offers several tools for customers to stay informed:
– Outage Alerts: Customers who subscribe receive personalized notifications via text message.
– Outage & Storm Center: The site at https://www.georgiapower.com/storm provides updates on outages and offers safety information.
– Outage Map: Available at https://www.georgiapower.com/outagemap, this map gives near real-time outage locations and estimated restoration times.
– Mobile App: The Georgia Power app is available for both Apple and Android devices.
– Social Media: Updates are posted at https://facebook.com/GeorgiaPower.
Customers can also report outages or check their status by calling 888-891-0938.
For advice on saving energy during cold weather, visit https://www.georgiapower.com/save.
