Georgia Power offers resources, tools in advance of severe winter weather

ATLANTA, Jan. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- With the winter months bringing the increased threat of severe cold, ice and snow, Georgia Power is helping customers prepare with free tools and resources online and via mobile device, available 24 hours a day.

Georgia Power logo.

Tools You Can Use

  • Outage Alerts – Since its introduction in 2013, more than 163,000 Georgia Power customers have signed up for the free service and are receiving personalized notifications and updates via text message, phone call or email if storms interrupt power at their home or business.
  • Outage & Storm Center – Available at www.georgiapower.com/storm, 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 categorized easily divided by before, during and after a storm.    
  • 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. A popular destination for customers, the Outage Map logged an estimated 1.2 million-plus views in 2015.
  • Georgia Power Mobile App – Download the Georgia Power mobile app for Apple and Android devices for storm and outage information on the go. Use the app anytime to access account information and mobile bill payment options, as well as energy efficiency tools.
  • @GeorgiaPower on Twitter – Follow @GeorgiaPower on Twitter for storm tips, outage updates, customer service and more.

The Georgia Power Storm Center
Georgia Power monitors weather for impacts to its system 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. When severe weather strikes, the company activates its Storm Center in Atlanta to coordinate response and restore service as quickly as possible to affected customers. The Storm Center also facilitates the dispatch of the company's mobile command centers which can be deployed to the field if needed.

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. In 2014, following one of the most disruptive ice storms in the company's history, Georgia Power safely restored power to more than 700,000 customers in record time by fully deploying company resources and leveraging the mutual assistance network.

About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), one of the nation's largest generators of electricity.  Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.4 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 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.  Consistently recognized as a leader in customer service, Georgia Power was recently ranked highest in overall business customer satisfaction among large utilities in the South by J.D. Power and Associates. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower) and Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower).

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SOURCE Georgia Power

For further information: Georgia Power Media Relations, (404) 506-7676 or (800) 282-1696, www.georgiapower.com