‘Tis the Season for Hurricane Preparedness

Georgia Power Encourages Customers to Prepare for Hurricane Season
Tracy Bishop,

GEORGIA – The Atlantic hurricane season is here and runs through November 30. Georgia Power is encouraging customers to take simple steps now to protect their families, homes and businesses. Hurricane season can bring heavy rain, strong winds and flooding to both coastal and inland communities. While the National Weather Service predicts a below-normal hurricane season due to a strengthening El Niño driving more unfavorable conditions for hurricane formation in the Atlantic basin, warmer than average ocean temperatures in the waters near the United States will support intensification of any hurricanes that do form. Preparing ahead of time can ensure families and homes are safe when storms arrive.

Getting Your Home Prepared

  • Build an emergency supply kit with food, water, flashlights, and medications to get you through at least three days.
  • Charge phones, battery packs and anything else you rely on every day.
  • Secure loose items around your home. Patio furniture, garbage cans, and yard décor can easily turn into hazards in high winds.
  • Plan for power outages by keeping freezer doors closed, unplugging appliances that may overload circuits and leave a porch light on once power is restored.
  • Know your surroundings by checking flood maps, evacuation routes, and how you will receive emergency alerts.

Before, During and After a Storm Safety Tips

  • Before a Storm: Stay aware, heed advice from officials, and check out the weather forecast before heading outdoors. Check your emergency kit and family plan. Charge cell phones before the storm and unplug major appliances if 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 yourself or enter flooded areas or those with debris or downed trees as downed power lines may be buried in wreckage or hidden under standing water. Customers should call 911 or Georgia Power immediately if they see a fallen or low-hanging power line.

For more tips on storm safety, outage preparedness and what to do before hurricane season, visit GeorgiaPower.com/Storm.

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