ATLANTA, Oct. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power works every day to keep reliability high across the state, and, during fall planting season, reminds customers that making the right landscaping choices may help decrease the likelihood of a power outage in the event of a storm.

Just last month, Hurricane Irma's high winds toppled an estimated nearly 2,500 trees – illustrating why tree choice and placement is important.  Ensuring that power lines are clear of trees and brush also provides easier access to the company's power lines, which could mean quicker restoration of power during storms.

Georgia Power provides a variety of free resources for customers, including an illustrated planting guide perfect for fall, online at www.georgiapower.com/trees. Resources include:

• Defined Low, Medium and Tall Zones around homes and recommended bush and tree species for each zone.
• Planting tips to help ensure new landscaping is best positioned for health and growth.
• Pruning tips to ensure proper removal of limbs and branches from established trees.
• Safety tips including appropriate proximity to power lines and electrical boxes, as well as the importance of contacting Georgia 811 to have underground utilities located prior to digging.

In addition to helping customers select the right trees to plant, Georgia Power maintains 160,000 line acres and 24,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines under guidelines set by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). These maintenance activities are an essential piece of the company's commitment to ensuring reliable service for 2.5 million customers in every corner of the state.

Other free tools and resources from Georgia Power include the Outage & Storm Center at www.georgiapower.com/storm, where customers can sign up for Outage Alerts and report and check the status of outage. The Outage & Storm Center also features a variety of storm safety and preparation information, as well as an interactive Outage Map which provides near real-time information on where outages are occurring across the state, as well as estimated restoration times.

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, 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, 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