ATLANTA, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Electric service to nearly 234,000 Georgia Power customers has been restored following Hurricane Michael. As of 3:30 p.m. Thursday, approximately 116,000 customers are without power across Georgia. While the company continues to work around the clock, customers in the hardest hit areas should plan ahead for the potential of extended outages, possibly days, due to the vast damage from the storm. Regional and statewide restoration estimates will be available as soon as assessment work is completed.

Damage assessment following widespread impacts from Hurricane Michael is in progress throughout Georgia and must be completed as an essential step to efficiently and effectively allocate resources. Additional challenges faced following the storm include downed trees and blocked roads that must be cleared.

Restoration progress since the beginning of the storm has been largely possible thanks to Georgia's advanced electric grid, which allows the company to reroute and restore power even when weather conditions prevent work in the field, as well as early work of crews. All of Georgia Power's teams are in the field today working to assess damage and restore power.

Damage Update – As of 3:30 p.m. Thursday

• Power has been restored to 234,000 Georgia Power customers across the state.
• There are approximately 116,000 Georgia Power customers currently without power.
• Approximately 2,700 cases of individual damage or trouble (including broken poles and lines) the company is working to repair.
• Damage and outages are widespread and across the state with the hurricane impacting service to customers around Albany, Americus, Bainbridge, Macon, Valdosta and Vidalia.

The company encourages customers to keep safety first following Hurricane Michael: 

• Watch for downed wires. Downed power lines may be hidden by debris or fallen trees.
• 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. If driving, move over one lane for utility vehicles stopped on the side of the road – it's the law in Georgia.

Teams in the Field
When severe weather strikes, Georgia Power has access to additional resources available as part of the Southern Company system, which includes multiple electric and gas companies serving more than 9 million customers nationwide. Additionally, Georgia Power is part of a national mutual assistance network consisting of dozens of utilities from around the country, and the company is able to tap into reinforcements when needed to restore power to Georgia customers following a storm.

Georgia Power continuously monitored the path of Hurricane Michael prior to the storm entering Georgia. To complete restoration as quickly and safely as possible, the company has mobilized approximately, 4,800 personnel from Georgia Power, other Southern Company operating companies and assisting utilities. All of Georgia Power's resources are being held and dedicated to storm restoration efforts in the state following Hurricane Michael.

Tools You Can Use

• Outage Alerts – Subscribe to the free Georgia Power Outage Alert service to receive personalized notifications and updates via text message.
• 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. Customers can report and check the status of an outage 24 hours a day by contacting Georgia Power at 888-891-0938.
• 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.
• Georgia Power Mobile App – Download the Georgia Power mobile app for Apple and Android devices to access storm and outage information on the go.
• @GeorgiaPower on Twitter – Follow @GeorgiaPower on Twitter for storm tips, outage updates, customer service and more.

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