Georgia Power re-enters Coastal Georgia, restoration efforts beginning
Workforce of nearly 5,000 personnel mobilized to restore power as high winds from Hurricane Matthew subside
ATLANTA, Oct. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power crews have re-entered Coastal Georgia and restoration efforts are beginning with a workforce of nearly 5,000 personnel from Georgia Power and assisting utilities mobilized to restore power following Hurricane Matthew. Crews are navigating extensive damage, including flooding and roads blocked by downed trees. Damage assessment teams were the first to re-enter evacuated areas as soon as allowed by emergency agencies and are relaying critical field information so that restoration teams can be dispatched as safely and efficiently as possible. Work in Coastal Georgia remains hazardous with high winds expected to continue into the afternoon. As part of Southern Company, as well as a national mutual assistance network, Georgia Power is able to receive assistance from other utilities not impacted by the storm to aid in restoration efforts. Utilities from other states, including Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, are currently in Georgia working alongside Georgia Power crews to restore service for customers. As of 2 p.m. Saturday, Georgia Power reported more than 2,100 individual cases of damage, including broken poles and downed lines, resulting nearly 260,000 customers without power. Damage and power outages are concentrated in Coastal Georgia, including Chatham, Glynn, Effingham, Bulloch and Liberty Counties. Georgia Power reminds customers that dangerous conditions exist following a storm. Never touch any downed or low-hanging wire, including telephone or cable wires that touch a power line. Never pull tree limbs off power lines yourself or enter areas with debris or downed trees as downed power lines may be buried in wreckage. If using a generator, follow all manufacturers' connection and safety instructions and shut the generator down before reconnecting to Georgia Power service. Residents should also work to relocate elderly, ill or disabled family members who did not evacuate. Restoration for all customers could take days, especially in rural areas and on the coast. The company also offers the following tools you can use to stay informed during restoration efforts:
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