ATLANTA, Sept. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power has restored power to more than 95 percent, or more than 960,000 customers, impacted by Hurricane Irma in just four days – 48 hours ahead of schedule. More than 8,000 personnel were mobilized as part of the company's restoration effort, including all of Georgia Power's resources, as well as assistance from other Southern Company operating companies and dozens of other companies and assisting utilities. All personnel in the field are now solely focused on restoring service to approximately 40,000 customers who remain without power due to the storm.

"The destruction from Hurricane Irma was unprecedented across Georgia, and throughout the Southeast, and I'm extremely proud of and thankful for the work and dedication of our teams to restore service to nearly all impacted customers ahead of schedule," said Paul Bowers, chairman, president and CEO of Georgia Power. "Our job is not finished until every customer is reconnected and we want to thank the millions of customers who depend on us for electric service every day for their patience during restoration. I also want to personally thank our sister operating companies, as well as all utility, public safety and governmental partners who worked together over the past weeks to prepare for and recover from Hurricane Irma."

Georgia Power monitored the path of Hurricane Irma for more than a week prior to the storm entering Georgia. The hurricane brought severe weather, including high winds, heavy rain and flooding, to every corner of the state. All of Georgia Power's resources were held in the state prior to the storm and remained in Georgia to lead the company's restoration effort. Restoration teams were widely distributed as widespread damage was expected and faced challenging conditions for days following Hurricane Irma including downed trees, blocked roads and bridges that had to be inspected by the state after area flooding.

Georgia Power estimates that damage from Hurricane Irma could include:

• Nearly 1,500 broken or damaged power poles
• More than 6,000 spans of wire (or nearly 230 miles)
• Nearly 2,400 fallen trees
• Approximately 450 transformers damaged

Georgia Power customers who remain without power at this time should continue to check the company's Outage Map at outagemap.georgiapower.com for the latest estimated restoration times (ERTs). The company will regularly update the Outage Map and other customer notification resources during the remainder of the Hurricane Irma restoration process with any changes in these ERTs.

Customers in some of the hardest hits areas of Georgia may not be able reconnect to Georgia Power service due to extensive damage. Georgia Power reminds customers that the electrical service entry point on their home or business, including the meter box and other components, must be repaired before Georgia Power can reconnect service. The company cannot, by law, connect power to a damaged meter box, or other non-Georgia Power components, and property owners should contact a qualified electrician to make repairs in order for the company to reconnect service.

Customers are also encouraged to remain aware that that dangerous conditions continue to exist across Georgia following Hurricane Irma. 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, downed trees or standing water 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.

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 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, 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, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

SOURCE Georgia Power