Georgia Power has restored electricity to nearly all customers affected by Winter Storm Fern, which brought high winds, freezing rain, snow, and icy conditions across Georgia. The storm led to a statewide state of emergency and caused widespread power outages.
More than 214,000 customers lost power during the multiday event. Crews from Georgia Power, along with contract workers and teams from partner utilities, worked continuously to restore service. As of midday Monday, most remaining outages are in North Georgia communities such as Clayton and Cornelia. These areas suffered extensive damage due to ice and falling trees, making access difficult for repair crews because of icy roads.
Kim Greene, chairman, president and CEO of Georgia Power said: “We know how difficult it is to be without power, especially when temperatures are below freezing. I am so grateful to our customers for their support and patience as we have worked around the clock to safely and quickly restore power following Winter Storm Fern. I’m also grateful for our employees, who are here for our customers when it matters most. However, our work isn’t done until every customer who can receive power is reconnected, and I know that commitment is shared by the thousands of team members who remain in the field working today.”
Severe cold is expected to persist across the state this week with temperatures staying well below freezing for several days. Georgia Power reports it is prepared for increased demand due to its diverse energy sources including nuclear, natural gas, coal, hydroelectric and renewables. Over the past ten years, Georgia Power has collaborated with the Georgia Public Service Commission on improving its generation mix and investing in technology upgrades at its plants. These efforts aim to maintain reliability during extreme weather events.
Greene added: “Just as important as the work of our line crews is the dedication of the teams in our power plants, who are there for customers 24 hours a day. We make smart investments and prepare for weeks like this because we know reliability matters for Georgians – whether they are enjoying time with family or running a business.”
Customers are encouraged to stay updated on weather conditions by visiting https://www.georgiapower.com/storm.html for outage information. To help manage higher energy use during cold weather periods, resources are available at https://www.georgiapower.com/save.html.
