Georgia Power Outage Update: Continued Impact from Hurricane Helene
Thousands in Georgia remain without power several days following Hurricane Helene, which affected nearly 2.5 million customers across the southeastern states. Georgia Power is actively working to restore service amidst ongoing challenges, including saturated ground causing further risks. The storm resulted in extensive flooding and significant economic damage, marking a troubling impact on the region.
As Hurricane Helene continues to impact the southeastern United States, significant power outages remain prevalent throughout Georgia, with thousands of residents still without electricity. As of the most recent reports at 6:45 p.m. ET, approximately 620,313 customers find themselves affected by ongoing outages in Georgia, positioning the state as the second most impacted by the storm’s aftermath. In comparison, South Carolina reports 818,153 customers without power, while North Carolina totals 491,165 outages. Collectively, nearly 2.5 million homes and businesses across the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, and Virginia are experiencing power disruptions following Helene’s destructive path, which extended over 800 miles. In response to these outages, Georgia Power has mobilized 14,000 crew members dedicated to the restoration efforts, emphasizing their commitment to working diligently to restore power as swiftly and safely as possible. The organization’s social media updates outline the ongoing work, while also noting the risk of further damages due to saturated ground conditions and unstable trees. Specific areas such as Valdosta are severely impacted, reporting 31,275 customers facing outages due to 180 separate incidents, with expectations for power restoration by Saturday, October 5. In the Atlanta region, there are currently 54 outages affecting 418 customers, and crews are actively gauges restoration timelines. Hurricane Helene initially made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend area as a Category 4 hurricane before transitioning into a tropical depression as it moved through the southeastern states. The storm has had a tragic human toll, claiming at least 61 lives across the five affected states, alongside inflicting historic flooding conditions and causing property damage estimated between $15 billion and $26 billion, predominantly in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.
Hurricane Helene has had a devastating impact on the southeastern United States, characterized by extensive power outages, flooding, and significant infrastructure damage. As recovery operations commence, power utilities such as Georgia Power are mobilizing extensive resources to restore services amidst ongoing concerns regarding saturated ground conditions that may exacerbate outages. The geographical scope of the storm’s damage underscores the widespread nature of the crisis, affecting millions across multiple states.
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has left substantial portions of Georgia and surrounding states grappling with widespread power outages, with a significant workforce mobilized for restoration efforts. The storm has caused tragic loss of life and extensive property damage, emphasizing the need for continued recovery efforts and support for affected communities.
Original Source: www.usatoday.com
