ATLANTA, March 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power
remains committed to providing its 2.6 million customers safe and
reliable service, while offering important safety tips and storm
resources as the spring storm season arrives amid the COVID-19
pandemic. March, April and May are typically the most active
months for severe thunderstorms with lightning, hail and tornadoes,
though severe weather can happen at any time.
Storm Response Pandemic Preparations
Georgia Power
constantly monitors changing weather conditions and has been
closely monitoring the potential threat posed by COVID-19 since
January. The company remains prepared to respond to service
interruptions that might occur because of severe weather while
taking proactive actions including special distancing and other
precautions to help protect customers and employees from the spread
of the virus.
The company regularly provides information and updates on the
virus to employees, including prevention recommendations from the
Centers for Disease Control, and is following the latest
developments and updates from public health officials and medical
professionals.
The company's investments in Smart Grid technology and increased
automation in recent years mean an increased ability to more
quickly isolate outages to smaller numbers of customers and reroute
power remotely for improved reliability. In addition, the company's
comprehensive pandemic plans ensure readiness of the critical
personnel and facilities necessary to continue providing the safe
and reliable energy customers expect and deserve.
In the field, the power restoration process includes these key
steps:
- Assessing Conditions – Responding crews – or in major storms,
damage assessment teams – work to identify trouble spots and the
resources needed to fix them, which could involve coming onto
customers' property. Crews will employ appropriate distancing
efforts and customers are asked to keep children and pets indoors
and maintain safe distances from crew members as well.
- Making Repairs – Georgia Power crews focus on
repairs that return power to the greatest number of customers in
the least amount of time.
Storm Safety
Georgia Power reminds customers to keep
safety first during severe weather and offers the following storm
tips:
- Before a Storm: Stay aware and check the weather
forecast before heading outdoors. Check your emergency kit, unplug
major appliances and charge cell phones in case you lose
power.
- During a Storm: Take safe shelter inside a sturdy
building away from windows and doors. Avoid contact with conductors
of electricity - appliances, metal objects and water.
- After a Storm: Never touch any downed or
low-hanging wire, including telephone or TV wires that touch a
power line. Never pull tree limbs off power lines or enter areas
with debris or downed trees as downed power lines may be buried in
wreckage.
Remote Customer Resources
Customers can subscribe to
Georgia Power's YouTube Storm Channel for the latest safety
videos and can connect with Georgia Power on Facebook and
Twitter for helpful information every day, and restoration
updates during severe weather. Georgia Power offers the following
videos, tools and tips to help customers prepare for severe
weather:
- Outage Alerts – Subscribe to the free Georgia Power
Outage Alert service to receive personalized notifications and
updates via text message.
- Outage Maps - Customers can follow progress on outages in their
town or across the state on the company's outage map available at
www.georgiapower.com/storm online or on the Georgia Power mobile
app on your smartphone.
- Build an Emergency Kit – A well-built kit should contain
enough supplies to get you and your family through three days
without electricity or running water.
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 2.6
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).
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/georgia-power-focuses-on-reliability-and-readiness-as-spring-storm-season-arrives-during-covid-19-pandemic-301028646.html
SOURCE Georgia Power