A Savannah Electric Storm Team is preparing to leave Savannah on Thursday as Hurricane Isabel closes in on the Mid-Atlantic coast.

The team, with an ultimate destination in the Washington, DC and Prince George’s County, Maryland area, will make its way to North Carolina during the day Thursday and receive further instructions based on damage reports after the storm makes landfall.

The team consists of 18 Savannah Electric employees from both Savannah and Springfield Operations Centers. Their convoy comprises 10 company vehicles, including line and bucket trucks, and several trailers.

Vehicles and equipment are undergoing inspection and maintenance at the company’s fleet services garage on Wednesday in preparation for the lengthy trip and rugged operating conditions.

Crews will pack initially for a 5-day stay, but the length of the trip will depend on needs and conditions in the area after the storm.

Savannah Electric has also released its contractors from Pike Electric and Asplundh Tree Services for emergency storm response, representing approximately 36 and 10 additional workers respectively.

Other Southern Company subsidiaries are also responding to requests from the area.