Georgia Power Outage Update: Thousands Affected After Hurricane Helene
Following Hurricane Helene, approximately 620,313 customers in Georgia are currently without power. Recovery efforts are ongoing, with around 14,000 personnel engaged in restoration work. The storm caused at least 61 deaths and significant property damage across several states.
As of the evening of October 4th, approximately 620,313 customers in Georgia remain without electrical service in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which has recently impacted the southeastern United States with significant destruction. This situation places Georgia as the state with the second-highest number of power outages linked to the storm, following South Carolina where 818,153 customers are also affected. North Carolina reports 491,165 customers without power. In total, nearly 2.5 million homes and businesses across the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, and Virginia are experiencing power disruptions due to the extensive damage caused by the storm. Georgia Power reports that around 14,000 personnel are actively engaged in restoring power in the state. “We are continuing to work around the clock to restore power for our customers quickly and safely,” stated the company in a social media announcement. The team has emphasized the risks of additional damage and outages as the ground remains saturated and trees are weakened in the wake of the storm. Particularly hard-hit areas include Valdosta, where 31,275 residents are affected by 180 separate outages, with restoration expected by Saturday, October 5th. In the Atlanta vicinity, there are 54 outages impacting 418 customers, with Georgia Power currently assessing when power may be restored. Hurricane Helene, which first made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region as a Category 4 hurricane before dissipating into a tropical depression, resulted in at least 61 fatalities across five states according to reports from the Weather Channel. The storm also wrought historic flooding in various areas and led to estimated property damages ranging between $15 billion and $26 billion, predominantly in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.
Hurricane Helene recently traversed the Southeast, causing widespread power outages and destruction. This storm, initially categorized as a hurricane upon making landfall, quickly weakened but left significant damage in its wake. The aftermath has highlighted the resilience and response efforts of utility companies, particularly in restoring power to affected communities. Helene’s impact extends beyond Georgia, with millions experiencing outages across multiple states, leading to fatalities and substantial economic losses due to property damage and flooding.
In conclusion, Hurricane Helene’s aftermath has left over 620,000 customers in Georgia without power as significant restoration efforts continue. The collaborative response involving approximately 14,000 workers highlights the urgency required to restore services amidst the challenges posed by ongoing weather conditions. The importance of monitoring the situation remains crucial, as additional damages may lead to further outages.
Original Source: www.usatoday.com
